The family of Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, one of the two teachers killed during the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde to help recover his remains for a proper burial.
In an open letter addressed to the President and jointly signed by members of the Oyedokun family on Tuesday, the family thanked the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers after nearly two months in captivity.
While expressing gratitude for the successful rescue operation, the family said its grief remained unresolved because Oyedokun’s body had not been recovered.
“The safe return of the victims has restored hope to their families and reaffirmed our confidence in the government’s commitment to protecting the lives of its citizens. For this, we are deeply grateful,” the letter stated.
The family, however, noted that unlike other families reunited with their loved ones, they had been unable to give Oyedokun a dignified burial.
“Our beloved relative, Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, tragically lost his life while in captivity. Although the rescue operation was successful, his remains have yet to be recovered and returned to us for burial in accordance with our faith, traditions and values.
“The absence of his body has prolonged our grief and denied our family the closure that every human being deserves,” the family said.
They urged President Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the slain teacher’s remains.
“We are confident that the same resolve which secured the freedom of the surviving victims can also ensure that his body is returned to his family,” the letter added.
According to the family, recovering Oyedokun’s remains would restore dignity to his memory and allow them to begin the healing process.
The appeal comes days after the rescued principal of Community High School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, disclosed that the kidnappers killed Oyedokun during captivity while another teacher, Esiyan Adegboye, was also killed during the ordeal.
Alamu said the abductors deliberately murdered the two teachers in an attempt to pressure the government into meeting their demands.
While Adegboye’s body was recovered and buried shortly after the attack, Oyedokun’s remains have yet to be found despite the successful rescue of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers after 57 days in captivity.
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