Students and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained freedom after spending 56 days in captivity, following a coordinated security operation that led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and the neutralisation of several others.
The presidency confirmed the rescue on Friday, insisting that the operation was carried out without payment of ransom or any prisoner exchange, bringing to an end one of Nigeria’s most closely watched school kidnapping cases in recent months.
Special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced this in a series of posts on his verified X account, describing the rescue as the outcome of sustained intelligence-driven operations by security agencies.
According to him, the kidnappers had demanded the release of one of their detained leaders, but the Federal Government rejected the request because the suspect is currently facing prosecution for terrorism-related offences. He added that the arrested suspects are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while security agencies will provide further details on the operation.
The victims comprised 18 nursery and primary school pupils, seven secondary school students, and seven teachers who were abducted on May 15 after heavily armed bandits invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
Reacting to the successful operation, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde commended the president, the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS, the military and other security agencies for their coordinated efforts, which ensured the victims were rescued safely.
Makinde also acknowledged the role played by journalists in keeping public attention on the case throughout the 56-day ordeal.
According to him, sustained media coverage maintained pressure on government authorities and security agencies, ensuring that efforts to rescue the victims remained a national priority.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, also welcomed the victims’ release, describing it as a major victory in the state’s fight against kidnapping. He maintained that the government deliberately resisted calls to pay ransom, insisting that yielding to criminals would only strengthen kidnapping networks and encourage further attacks.
One of the rescued victims, the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, Mrs Rachael Alamu, thanked President Tinubu and security operatives in a viral video recorded after the rescue.
She said the captives appreciated the government’s commitment to their safety and credited security personnel for keeping them alive throughout the ordeal. The video also showed teachers and pupils expressing gratitude while the children appeared healthy, cheerful, and shared biscuits in celebration.
News of the rescue triggered widespread celebrations across Ogbomoso and neighbouring communities, where residents, traders and transport workers poured onto the streets to welcome the freed victims.
While many described the operation as a major relief after weeks of anxiety, community leaders urged authorities to maintain stronger security around rural schools to prevent future abductions and restore confidence in the safety of education across the state.
