By Seyi Gesinde
July 10, 2026
The pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have finally regained their freedom, bringing to an end a traumatic 56 day ordeal that drew nationwide concern and intensified calls for stronger security around schools.
President Bola Tinubu’s administration confirmed the development on Friday, with the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announcing that all the victims had been rescued by security agencies.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote on his verified X account.
He added that one of the rescued teachers had conveyed appreciation to President Tinubu and the security agencies for securing their freedom.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen launched coordinated attacks on three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
The attackers stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, alongside two other schools in Esiele, seizing pupils and teachers before fleeing into the forests.
Official figures indicated that 39 pupils and seven teachers were taken during the raid, making a total of 46 victims.
The children ranged from about two to sixteen years of age, making the incident one of Nigeria’s most disturbing recent mass school abductions.
The abduction shocked the country because it occurred in Nigeria’s South West, a region that has historically experienced fewer mass school kidnappings than parts of the North West and North East.
President Tinubu immediately condemned the attack as barbaric and directed security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of every victim.
As rescue efforts continued, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed in June that intelligence reports indicated the victims were being held inside the Old Oyo National Park, a vast forest reserve stretching across parts of Oyo and Kwara states.
The governor repeatedly assured families that security agencies were carefully coordinating operations to avoid endangering the lives of the captives.
The prolonged captivity triggered widespread anxiety across Oyo State.
Parents held vigils.
Religious bodies organised prayers.
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The Nigeria Union of Teachers embarked on industrial action to protest the insecurity and demand urgent government intervention.
The strike was eventually suspended after assurances that intensive rescue operations were ongoing and additional security measures would be introduced to protect schools.
During the weeks of captivity, security agencies maintained that they were relying heavily on intelligence gathering rather than launching indiscriminate military assaults.
Officials warned that any reckless operation could endanger the lives of the children and teachers.
The government’s cautious approach attracted public debate.
Some critics questioned the pace of the operation, while officials insisted that preserving the lives of the hostages remained the overriding priority.
Further details released by the Presidency after the rescue indicated that the operation resulted in significant breakthroughs against the kidnappers.
According to Onanuga, several members of the criminal gang were neutralised during security operations, while eight suspected kidnappers were arrested.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of those arrested or provide full operational details, citing ongoing investigations.
The successful rescue has been welcomed across Oyo State and beyond.
Families, residents, education stakeholders and religious leaders expressed relief after weeks of uncertainty.
The development also represents a major boost for ongoing efforts to restore confidence in the safety of schools in the state.
The Oyo abduction had become one of the most closely watched security incidents in Nigeria this year.
The incident highlighted the continuing threat posed by armed kidnapping gangs and the urgent need for stronger protection of schools, particularly in vulnerable rural communities.
