Bring His Body Home, We’re Still Grieving— Slain Oyo Teacher’s Family Begs Tinubu, Makinde
The family of Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, one of the two teachers killed during the abduction of pupils and staff of Community High School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde to ensure the recovery of his remains for a dignified burial.
In an open letter jointly signed by members of the Oyedokun family on Tuesday, the relatives thanked the Federal Government and security agencies for securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers after nearly two months in captivity, but said their grief remained unresolved because Oyedokun's body had not been recovered.
The family commended Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for the rescue operation, describing it as a demonstration of the government's commitment to protecting citizens.
"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 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," the family wrote.
Despite the successful rescue, the family lamented that it remained the only one yet to receive closure because the slain teacher's remains had not been found.
"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 a dignified 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. 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," the letter stated.
The family urged the President to direct relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover Oyedokun's remains, expressing confidence that the determination that secured the victims' freedom could also bring his body home.
"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.
"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 the remains would not only restore dignity to the late teacher but also enable his loved ones to perform his final rites and begin 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.
"We earnestly hope this appeal will receive your compassionate and urgent consideration, so that we may finally lay our beloved husband, father, brother, and son to rest with the honour and dignity he deserves, and begin the difficult journey toward healing," the family said.
Oyedokun was among the teachers abducted alongside pupils during the attack on Community High School in Oyo State.
Earlier, the school's rescued principal, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, revealed that the teacher was beheaded by the kidnappers on the second day of their captivity, while another teacher, Esiyan Adegboye, was shot dead during the initial attack.
Alamu said the abductors deliberately killed the two teachers to pressure the government into meeting their demands before the remaining victims were eventually rescued on Friday.