All the pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after nearly two months in captivity.
The development was announced on Friday, by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who said security agencies rescued the victims.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga said in a post on his verified X account.
Authorities have 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 on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
The attackers kidnapped 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal.
During the attack, teacher Joel Adesiyan was killed while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity.
The abduction sparked widespread outrage and prompted a month-long strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State, while security agencies launched operations to secure the victims’ release.
The Oyo State Government had maintained throughout the crisis that it would not pay ransom to secure the victims’ freedom.
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