By Favour Raphael
All the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom.
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, Onanuga said the victims were rescued by security agencies, adding that details of the operation would be provided later.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
The circumstances surrounding their release, including whether any ransom was paid, remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools in Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
The affected schools were Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attack.
A teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in captivity.
The abduction sparked nationwide concern and led the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State to embark on a month-long strike, demanding urgent action to secure the victims’ release before suspending the industrial action in July.
The incident also prompted interventions from security agencies, with military and police authorities assuring the public that efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.
The Oyo State Government had maintained that it would not pay ransom to secure the release of abducted persons.
