The pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after spending nearly two months in captivity.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development on Friday in a post on his verified X handle.
He wrote, “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo, have been rescued by our security agencies.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government and security agencies had yet to provide details of the operation that led to the victims’ freedom or disclose whether any ransom was paid.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
During the coordinated attacks, no fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were kidnapped.
The incident turned tragic after a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was shot dead while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by the abductors during captivity.
The kidnappers had demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws as conditions for releasing the victims.
However, the Oyo State Government maintained throughout the period that it would neither negotiate with nor pay ransom to the abductors.
The abduction triggered widespread outrage across the state, prompting the Nigeria Union of Teachers to embark on a month-long strike to pressure authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the victims.
The union later suspended the industrial action following assurances from security agencies that operations to secure the hostages’ release had been stepped up.
The incident also attracted national attention, with the military, police and other security agencies repeatedly assuring Nigerians that coordinated efforts were underway to ensure the safe rescue of the victims.
