Kidnapped Oyo school pupils, teachers regain freedom

By Ola Taiwo

Pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State by kidnappers have regained their freedom.

They regained the freedom after they had been in the den of the kidnappers for 57 days. 

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, who Bayo Onanuga, announced the development on Friday, said the people were rescued by Nigerian security agencies.

Onanuga, in a post on his verified X account, said, “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies.”

Security authorities have yet to disclose details of the operation or state whether any ransom was paid before the victims were freed.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Orire Local Government Area.

During the coordinated attack, 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were abducted.

The attack claimed the life of a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, who was reportedly shot while trying to escape. Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed by his captors during the period of captivity.

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws as conditions for freeing the victims.

Despite the demands, the Oyo State Government maintained its position that it would neither negotiate with nor pay ransom to the abductors.

The abduction triggered nationwide condemnation and prompted the Nigeria Union of Teachers to embark on a month-long strike to press for the safe return of the victims before suspending the action in July.

The Federal Government also intensified security operations, with the military, police and other security agencies collaborating to secure the release of the captives.

The successful rescue ends nearly two months of anxiety for the affected families and residents, while again highlighting the urgent need for stronger security measures to protect schools and vulnerable communities from recurring attacks by armed criminal groups.