The family of Michael Oyedokun, one of the two teachers killed during the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct security agencies to recover his remains for a befitting burial.
The appeal was contained in an open letter jointly signed by the Oyedokun family addressed to the President on Tuesday.
In the letter, the family expressed appreciation to Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers after nearly two months in captivity.
The family, however, said its grief remained unresolved because Oyedokun’s body had yet to be recovered.
“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 acknowledging the successful rescue operation, the family noted that, unlike other families reunited with their loved ones, it was still mourning the loss of Oyedokun, whose remains have 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 family stated.
The family appealed to 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 which secured the freedom of the surviving victims can also ensure that his body is returned to his family.”
The family added 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 honour and dignity he deserves, and begin the difficult journey toward healing,” the letter added.
It was earlier reported 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 deliberately killed the two teachers to pressure the government into meeting their demands.
It also reported that 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.
The PUNCH