By Richard Akintade
There was pandemonium at Esa-Oke Community, Oriade local government area of Osun State the home town of former Attorney General and Chief Justice of Federation, Late Bola Ige as about five members of staff of Osun State College of Technology, OSCOTEH, Esa-Oke were abducted while one other was gruesomely killed by yet-to-be identified gunmen.
Our Correspondent was informed that the suspected Fulani helmsmen allegedly attacked the ancient Community and the institution, unleashing mayhem and whisked away five staff.
A staff of the school, who spoke under the condition of anonymity told our Correspondent that the attack came as a rude shock to the community, as many have left their homes for safety.He explained that the slain employee of the school was trying to escape from the scene when he was shot from the rear and died instantly.
“The person that was killed was a former Faculty Officer in the school, I saw him driving out of the campus while I was discussing with a colleague at the campus gate.
“The gunmen have left the place before we got there but a mechanic around the area who witnessed the incident told us that Mr Olaniyi was trying to escape from those people and he was shot in the process.
“Everybody is afraid right now, we do not know what could happen next, this is barbaric to say the least “.
Meanwhile, the Director of Media and head of Pubic Relations unit of OSCOTECH in a press statement said “There was an attack on Esa- Oke Road after close of work.
The list of Staff Members of Osun State College of Technology still being held in the bush by the kidnappers are; Mr Olaleye Olalekan Bus.Admin department, Engr. Adeyeoluwa Bankole , HOD Civil engineering, Dr Jesuola Ajibola, Director ventures, Adenreti Chukwu secretary to civil engineering department. Olaniyi Emmanuel Temitope registry staff and Rachael Onyinocha Akinboboye, OSCOTECH Microfinance Bank.
“These are the names of those we can identify that are missing, we will keep you posted as events unfold”.
Also, the Chairman of the local government,, Hon Bunmi Obeisun in a statement condemned in totality the attack on the community.
“In my capacity as Chairman of the local government, I have being with the police authorities since this unfortunate incident happened. We have given them all necessary support. We will not rest until the bandits are flushed out of the forests and our people can travel without any fear. We have given the police necessary support. I have also discussed the unfortunate development with the CSO of the state Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola he sends his condolences to the family of those affected and the academic community of College of Technology Esaoke.
” I encourage our people to partner with security agencies and give useful information that can help us apprehend the criminals that have cost our collective grief” Obeisun concluded.
The Osun State Command of the Nigeria Police has confirmed the attack through it’s Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, Mrs Folashade Odoro.
Meanwhile, the state government is yet to make an official statement on the incident as at the time of filling this report.
