THE pupils and teachers abducted in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty over their fate.
The development was announced today by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, 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, authorities had yet to disclose details surrounding the rescue, including whether any ransom was paid or the circumstances that led to the victims’ release.
The victims were kidnapped 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 Orire Local Government Area.
A total of 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were abducted during the coordinated attacks.
The attack claimed the lives of two teachers.
Joel Adesiyan was killed while attempting to escape during the invasion, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded while in captivity.
Reports reveal that the kidnappers demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, the provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related law before agreeing to free the captives.
Throughout the ordeal, the Oyo State Government consistently maintained that it would not pay ransom to secure the victims’ release.
The incident sparked widespread public concern and prompted the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to embark on a month-long strike in Oyo State, demanding the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers before eventually suspending the industrial action in July.
The abduction also drew the attention of the Federal Government, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to rescue the victims were ongoing.
The successful rescue marks the end of one of the state’s most disturbing school kidnapping incidents in recent months.
