Kidnapped Oyo pupils, teachers regain freedom

The pupils and teachers abducted in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom.

 

The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

 

In a shared post on his verified X handle, Onanuga simply announced that the victims had been released by their abductors.

 

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.

 

As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding their release, including whether any ransom was paid or the circumstances leading to their freedom, had yet to be disclosed.

 

The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools; Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

 

No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks.

 

During the attack, a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.

 

Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.

 

The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.

 

The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.

 

The incident had triggered weeks of public anguish, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers embarking on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.

 

It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.