The pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after spending several weeks in captivity.
The development was announced on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X handle.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to disclose details of the rescue operation or clarify whether any ransom was paid to secure the victims’ release.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men invaded three schools—Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School—in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Orire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were taken away during the coordinated attacks.
The incident turned tragic as one of the teachers, Joel Adesiyan, was shot dead while attempting to escape. Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded while in captivity.
Before the victims were released, the kidnappers were said to have made four demands, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related laws.
Despite the demands, the Oyo State Government repeatedly insisted it would not pay ransom to secure the release of the victims.
The abduction sparked widespread concern across the state, prompting the Nigeria Union of Teachers to embark on a month-long strike to demand the safe return of the victims before suspending the industrial action in July.
The incident also drew the attention of the Federal Government, with the military and police assuring Nigerians that efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers were ongoing.
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