The family of Michael Oyedokun, one of two teachers slain during the kidnapping of students and instructors in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area, has urged President Bola Tinubu to ask security authorities to recover his remains for a proper burial.
The request was made in an open letter signed by the Oyedokun family and submitted to the president on Tuesday.
In the letter, the family thanked Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies for liberating the abducted students and instructors after over two months in custody.
The family, however, stated that their grief was unresolved because Oyedokun’s remains had yet to be discovered.
“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 letter read.
While appreciating the successful rescue effort, the family stated that, unlike other families who have been reunited with their loved ones, they are still grieving the death of Oyedokun, whose remains have not been discovered.
“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 honor his memory and bring peace to our hearts,” the family stated.
The family called on Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the slain teacher’s remains.
“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 that secured the freedom of the surviving victims can also ensure that his body is returned to his family.”
The family also stated that recovering Oyedokun’s remains would restore dignity to his memory and allow them to 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 honor and dignity he deserves and begin the difficult journey toward healing,” the letter added.
Chronicle NG reports that rescued Community High School principal Mrs. Rachael Alamu disclosed that Oyedokun was beheaded by the kidnappers on the second day of captivity, while another teacher, Esiyan Adegboye, was shot dead during the attack.
According to Alamu, the kidnappers killed the two teachers to pressure the government into meeting their demands.
While Adegboye’s body was recovered and buried in Ogbomoso on May 22, Oyedokun’s remains have yet to be found despite the successful rescue of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers after 57 days in captivity.
