‘Deeply traumatising’: Slain Oyo teacher’s family appeals against circulation of murder video

The family of Michael Oyedokun, the teacher killed by bandits after being abducted in Oyo State, has called on Nigerians to refrain from sharing graphic footage and images linked to his death.

Oyedokun was kidnapped alongside other teachers during coordinated attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday.

The attack also left an assistant headmaster, Joel Adesiyan, and a commercial motorcyclist dead.

Tension grew after a video believed to have been released by the abductors surfaced online on Monday. The clip showed the late teacher bound and speaking under duress shortly before he was killed by the gunmen.

Reacting to the clip’s circulation, the victim’s family, in a statement released via the Instagram page of influencer Temilola Sobola on Wednesday, urged Nigerians to stop reposting the disturbing material.

The family said the constant circulation of the video had caused severe emotional trauma, especially for Oyedokun’s children, who are currently sitting for examinations.

The family noted that other relatives, including elderly family members, cousins, nephews, and nieces, were also struggling with the emotional impact of repeatedly seeing the footage online.

Oyo attack: DHQ debunks terrorist base in South-West, intensifies rescue operations

While appreciating the sympathy and support shown by the public, the family appealed to bloggers, media organisations, and social media users to either blur sensitive visuals or use approved family photographs when reporting the incident.

The statement read: “We truly appreciate the love, concern, and sympathy shown towards our family during this painful time. However, the continuous circulation of those videos and images is deeply traumatising for us as a family

“His children are currently writing their exams and it has been extremely difficult emotionally for them, his elderly loved ones, and all of us his nieces, nephews, cousins and relatives especially as these contents keep appearing on the social media.

“For the sake of our mental and emotional wellbeing, we humbly ask that if it is necessary to post about the incident, please kindly blur the videos/images or make use of the pictures officially released by the family instead

“We sincerely appreciate your understanding, prayers, love and support during this difficult period. Thank you.”