Family Urges Tinubu, Makinde to Recover Slain Oyo Teacher Michael's Body

The family of Michael Oyedokun, one of two teachers tragically killed during an abduction incident involving students and educators in Oyo State's Oriire Local Government Area, has issued a heartfelt plea to President Bola Tinubu. Their appeal, sent in an open letter on Tuesday, requests the President to direct security forces to retrieve Oyedokun's body for a proper burial.

The Oyedokun family, in their jointly signed letter, conveyed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and other security agencies for their successful efforts in rescuing the abducted students and teachers after nearly two months in captivity. Despite the relief of the rescue, the family stated that their sorrow persists due to the inability to recover Oyedokun's remains.

“We sincerely thank Your Excellency for the efforts of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security and intelligence agencies whose dedication and sacrifice led to the successful rescue of the kidnapped victims in Oyo State,” the letter read. It further acknowledged that, “The safe return of these victims has restored hope to their families and reaffirmed our confidence in the Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and liberty of its citizens. For this, we are deeply grateful.”

While recognizing the triumph of the rescue mission, the family highlighted their unique plight, noting that unlike other families who have been reunited with their loved ones, they continue to grieve for Oyedokun, whose body remains unfound. “Our beloved relative, Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, tragically lost his life while in captivity,” the family lamented. “Although the rescue operation was successful, his remains have yet to be recovered and returned to us for a dignified burial in accordance with our faith, traditions, and values.”

The family stressed that the absence of his body has prolonged their anguish, denying them the closure essential for healing. “The absence of his body has prolonged our grief and denied our family the closure that every human being deserves. We continue to live with the pain of not knowing where he rests, unable to perform the final rites that would honour his memory and bring peace to our hearts,” they added.

Consequently, the family implored President Tinubu to instruct security agencies to intensify their search and recovery efforts for the deceased teacher’s body. “Your Excellency, we respectfully appeal that you direct the relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the remains of Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun,” the letter stated. “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 Oyedokun family believes that recovering Michael’s body would not only restore dignity to his memory but also enable them to embark on the healing process. “Recovering his remains is more than a humanitarian act; it is a solemn obligation that reflects the dignity of every Nigerian life. It would demonstrate that no citizen is forgotten, abandoned, or denied dignity, even in death,” the letter concluded, expressing hope for urgent consideration to allow them to lay their loved one to rest with honour.

Previous reports from PUNCH Online indicated that Mrs. Rachael Alamu, the rescued principal of Community High School, revealed that kidnappers beheaded Oyedokun on the second day of his captivity. Another teacher, Esiyan Adegboye, was shot dead during the initial attack. Alamu explained that these killings were deliberate acts by the kidnappers to pressure the government into meeting their demands. While Adegboye’s body was recovered and buried in Ogbomoso on May 22, Oyedokun’s remains are still missing, despite the successful rescue of other abductees after 57 days.