The pupils and teachers abducted during coordinated attacks on schools in Oyo State have regained their freedom after nearly two months in captivity.
The development was confirmed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X account.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote.
As of the time of this report, authorities had not disclosed the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release, including whether any ransom was paid or details of the rescue operation.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed assailants 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.
At least 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were abducted during the attacks.
The incident turned deadly as one teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to flee the attackers. Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded while in captivity.
Before the victims’ release, the abductors were said to have issued a four-point demand, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related laws.
Throughout the ordeal, the Oyo State Government maintained that it would not pay ransom to secure the release of the captives.
The mass abduction sparked widespread outrage and anxiety across the state, prompting the Nigeria Union of Teachers to embark on a month-long strike to demand urgent action before suspending the industrial action in July.
The incident also attracted federal attention, with the military and police repeatedly assuring Nigerians that efforts to rescue the victims were ongoing. The successful release of the pupils and teachers brings an end to one of the state’s most high-profile kidnapping cases in recent months.
