The family of Michael Oyedokun, one of the teachers killed during the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to recover his body to enable them give him a befitting burial.
The appeal comes after the remaining abducted pupils and teachers regained their freedom following a coordinated security operation.
In a fresh statement shared on Instagram on Saturday by Oluwabukolami, who has been the family’s spokesperson, expressed gratitude over the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers but said their grief remained unresolved because Oyedokun’s body had yet to be recovered 58 days after he was killed.
“We are grateful to the government and security agencies for the safe return of the children and teachers. Every family reunited with their loved one is a reminder that hope still exists.
“But our family remains in mourning,” the statement partly read.
The slain teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was a victim of the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State…Photo Credit: its_boukeey
The family said despite the successful rescue operation, they were still waiting for the opportunity to recover Oyedokun’s remains and give him a dignified burial.
“Fifty-eight days after Michael Olugbade Oyedokun was taken from us, we are still waiting… not for a miracle, but for the opportunity to lay him to rest,” the family said.
According to the family, the inability to recover his body has prolonged the pain and denied his wife, children and relatives the closure they desperately need.
“Every day without his body is another day his wife cannot say goodbye. Another day, his children have no grave to visit. Another day, our family is denied the dignity and closure that every human being deserves,” the statement read.
The slain teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was a victim of the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State…Photo Credit: its_boukeey
The family appealed directly to the authorities to intensify efforts to recover the slain teacher’s body.
“We respectfully appeal to the authorities: please bring Michael’s body home.
“Help us recover his body so we can give him the honourable and befitting burial he deserves. Our grief cannot begin to heal until we can bring him home.
“Please don’t let our final goodbye remain unfinished.
“Bring Michael home,” the family said.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the family expressed mixed emotions following the rescue of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers, saying while other families were celebrating the return of their loved ones, theirs would never experience such joy.
Reacting after the victims regained their freedom on Friday, Oluwabukolami, who identified herself as Oyedokun’s niece and has served as the family’s spokesperson since the incident, congratulated the rescued victims and their families but lamented that her uncle would never return home.
“They are finally home.
“My heart rejoices with every family that has been reunited with their loved ones after weeks of pain, fear, and uncertainty. Welcome home.”
She, however, noted that the joy of other families could not erase her family’s loss.
“My uncle, Mr Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, will never come home. He was taken from us, and his life was brutally cut short. Our joy is incomplete because one chair at our table will remain empty forever.”
She concluded by paying tribute to the late teacher.
“Today, we celebrate those who returned, while remembering the one who never did.
“Rest in peace, Uncle Michael. You will never be forgotten.”
PUNCH Online reported that the Presidency confirmed the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers after 57 days in captivity, with eight suspected kidnappers arrested and several others neutralised during the operation.
The attack occurred on May 15 when gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting scores of pupils and teachers.
During the attack, Oyedokun and another teacher, Esiyan Adegboye, were killed. While Adegboye was buried on May 22 in Ogbomoso after his body was recovered, Oyedokun’s body has yet to be found. This has left his family unable to perform his burial rites, despite the rescue of the remaining victims.
The burial arrangements for veteran Nollywood actor and screenwriter, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, have been announced following his death at the age of 66.
Ogogo will be buried on Monday, August 24, 2026, in his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State.
Veteran actor Jide Kosoko announced the burial details in a statement shared on his Instagram page, saying the actor’s remains would be taken to Ilaro for a lying-in-state ceremony.
According to the announcement, the ceremony will hold at the Pavillon, Ilaro, Ogun State, by 11:00 a.m.
The statement read, “His remains will be taken to his hometown, Ilaro, Ogun State today where the lying-in-state ceremony will take place tomorrow.”
The founder of Best of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi, also confirmed the burial arrangement through a statement from the Ilaro Muslim Community.
The announcement stated that the burial prayer would hold at the Asade Agunloye Pavilion Ground by 10:00 a.m.
Ogogo died on Sunday at 3 p.m. at the age of 66, according to the burial announcement.
His death came days after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, appealed for medical assistance for the actor, who had been battling stage-four cancer.
Kaira had earlier revealed that doctors informed the family they could no longer administer chemotherapy due to his condition.
Ogogo was a respected figure in the Nigerian film industry, particularly known for his contributions to Yoruba-language cinema.
Popular Nollywood and Yoruba film actor, Taiwo Hassan, pooularly known as Ogogo, is dead.
The news of the actor’s death was confirmed by multiple sources, including the founder of Best of Nollywood, Seun Oloketuyi.
Oloketuyi announced the death in a post on social media, writing, “Taiwo Hassan Ogogo is dead.
“He finally lost the battle of life.”
Ogogo’s daughter, Kaira Taiwo, was also seen crying during a live session on Instagram on Sunday, where she expressed disbelief over her father’s death.
Nigerian actor and filmmaker, Saheed Balogun, also mourned the veteran actor in an Instagram post. Nigerianbusiness news
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. You can rest now my brother Taiwo Hassan Ogogo. May Almighty Allah guide you through Aljannah. This is truly painful.” Balogun wrote.
The actor’s death comes days after his daughters, Kaira and Lima Taiwo, appealed for medical assistance for their father, who had been battling stage-four cancer.
On Monday, August 17, 2026, the sisters took to social media to seek medical advice and assistance for the actor.
According to Kaira, doctors had informed the family that they could no longer administer chemotherapy due to his condition.
The family subsequently sought alternative treatment options, including specialised medical procedures and traditional remedies.
Ogogo was a prominent figure in the Nigerian film industry, particularly known for his contributions to Yoruba-language films. Nigerianbusiness news
Prophet Itunu, the lover of late Nigerian actress, Temitope Osoba, better known as Tope Osoba, has been arrested.
Police reportedly arrested Itunu on Tuesday August 18, 2026 following the public outcry over the circumstances surrounding Tope’s death.
It was reports that Tope Osoba died on August 4, 2026, two years after surviving breast cancer.
Many Nigerians took to social media to demand the arrest of her lover after the actress’ close associates and best friends accused him and his siblings of having a hand in her death.
Shortly after the news of her death, Tope Osoba’s friends and associates started calling out Prophet Itunu for allegedly manipulating the actress to move in with him without knowing her family or marrying her legally.
Itunu was also accused of bullying her, collecting one of her money and one of her cars, and stopping her from acting or speaking with colleagues and friends.
Following the chat and voice notes evidence shared by the deceased’s friends to backup the allegations, the family postponed her burial to allow the police to conduct proper investigation into her death.
Reacting to the development in an interview with the Celestial Reality Check, a Media Investigative Unit of the Celestial Church of Christ, Itunu denied the allegations and claimed that it was the actress that approached him for marriage after she visited his church for prayers.
While accusing her of being a drug addict, the prophet said, “Tope was a drug addict and I didn’t know about it on time. And I don’t have money to take her to rehab after I noticed.”
However, updating the public about the case in an Instagram video on Sunday, the actress’ close friend and online personality, Akeem, announced that Itunu has been arrested alongside one unidentified hairdresser.
Akeem who is better known as ‘Oko Awon Single Mother’, said in a now trending video, “Good morning everybody, good Nigerians. So to those asking me for an update about Tope Osoba’s case, I have good news for you.
“Itunu was arrested on Tuesday. The hairdresser was also arrested. They are now in detention. The order guy that was accused of raping her is on the run. The guy’s name is Pelumi.
“So hopefully, justice will be served for her. Thank you Nigerians, thanks to the police for not ignoring our cry for justice. A big thank you to the family and a big thank you to myself. Autopsy will be carried out by the police.”
It was reports that Prophet Itunu is the Shepherd-in-charge of CCC Onibuore Cathedral, Bogije, in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.