The abduction of students and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has sparked outrage among Nigerian celebrities, with many condemning the worsening insecurity across the country and calling for urgent government intervention.

The attack reportedly targeted three schools within the Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele axis, including Community High School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and LA School Esinele. About 46 persons, including students, seven teachers and a school principal, were reportedly abducted, while an assistant head teacher and a commercial motorcyclist were killed.

Reacting to the incident, actress Yvonne Jegede criticised what she described as public silence over the crisis.

“Anyone who isn’t talking about the crisis in Nigeria is complicit with the oppressors. What is happening should scare us even more than the government arresting us for speaking out. I would rather be in prison than have bandits cut off my head. The silence from Nigerians is a sign of hopelessness, and I am not hopeless,” she wrote.

Actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying, “This is not propaganda! This is not your enemies trying to make you look bad. And even if they were, you can’t leave your house on fire.”

Veteran actress Opeyemi Aiyeola urged traditional rulers and entertainers to speak up, while Toyin Abraham described the killings and abductions as heartbreaking.

“My heart is deeply heavy over the painful killings and abductions happening in Oyo State and across different parts of Nigeria,” she wrote.