BREAKING: Kidnapped Oyo pupils, teachers regain freedom
*Kidnapped Oyo school children with teachers
Thirty-nine pupils and seven teachers abducted by armed men from three schools in Oyo State have regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
The victims, who were kidnapped on 15 May 2026 in Orire Local Government Area, were rescued by security agencies, the Presidency confirmed on Friday.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development 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 filing this report, the authorities had yet to disclose details of the rescue operation, including whether any ransom was paid or the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release.
The victims were abducted when heavily armed men attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Orire Local Government Area on 15 May 2026.
The attackers kidnapped 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, during the coordinated assault.
The incident turned deadly as Joel Adesiyan, a teacher, was shot dead while attempting to escape. Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded while in the kidnappers’ custody.
The abductors were reported to have demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, the provision of two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws before freeing the captives.
Throughout the ordeal, the Oyo State Government maintained that it would not pay ransom to secure the victims’ release.
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 press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the industrial action in July.
The incident also attracted federal intervention, with the military and police repeatedly assuring Nigerians that sustained operations were underway to secure the victims’ freedom.
The successful rescue brings an end to nearly two months of uncertainty for the victims, their families and the affected communities.
