In an emotional public statement released on May 19, the family said the continuous sharing of the disturbing footage was deepening their pain and making it harder for relatives to cope with the tragedy.
The appeal comes days after the shocking attack in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where gunmen abducted dozens of students and teachers during a violent school invasion on May 15, 2026.
Authorities later confirmed that 46 people were kidnapped in the incident, including seven teachers and 39 students. Reports also revealed that one of the abducted children was only two years old.
Shortly after the attack, a disturbing video surfaced online allegedly showing some of the victims inside the kidnappers’ hideout. In the footage, the school principal and another teacher were seen pleading for urgent government intervention.
Governor Seyi Makinde later confirmed the killing of Mr. Oyedokun while also announcing the arrest of suspected informants believed to have aided the attackers.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the killing, describing the act as barbaric, and assured Nigerians that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining captives.
The incident has continued to spark national outrage, with the Allied People’s Movement (APM) calling on security agencies to intensify rescue operations and improve protection for schools across the country.
Family Appeals for Compassion
Reacting to the widespread circulation of the execution footage online, the Oyedokun family said the repeated sharing of the videos was causing emotional distress to loved ones, especially the deceased’s children, who are currently writing examinations.
According to the statement, elderly relatives and members of the extended family have also been severely affected by the disturbing content appearing repeatedly across social media platforms.
The family urged Nigerians, bloggers, and media organisations to respect their grief by avoiding the reposting of graphic visuals linked to the incident.
They further appealed that where the story must be reported, only approved family photographs should be used or any sensitive visuals should be properly blurred.
The family said they simply want dignity for their late relative and peace for those mourning his loss.
The statement reads:
“Hello everyone, please we sincerely appeal to the public and media platforms to kindly reduce or stop sharing the graphic videos and pictures of our beloved uncle. 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 social media. For the sake of our mental and emotional well-being, 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.”
Family of teacher executed in Oyo school attack pleads with Nigerians to stop circulating graphic videos showing his death
Be the first to comment