After 56 days in captivity, abducted Oyo pupils, teachers regain freedom as security forces arrest eight kidnappers

....breaking

By Johnson Arua

The 46 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity, following a coordinated rescue operation by security agencies that led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and the killing of several others.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, announced the successful operation on Friday via his X handle, disclosing that the rescued victims were freed without the payment of ransom or any concession to the abductors.

He said the eight suspects were currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while a notorious kingpin whose release had been demanded by the kidnappers remained in custody and was being prosecuted.

"In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised. There was no quid pro quo in the rescue, as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give a full account soon," Onanuga stated.

The Oyo State Government also confirmed the release of the victims, describing it as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and a vindication of Governor Seyi Makinde's decision not to negotiate or pay ransom to the criminals.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the government expressed gratitude over the safe return of the pupils and teachers, saying the successful rescue demonstrated that confronting insecurity through coordinated security operations rather than financing criminal gangs remained the most sustainable approach.

According to Oyelade, the administration resisted intense pressure to pay ransom during the eight-week ordeal, insisting that yielding to the kidnappers' demands would only strengthen criminal networks, encourage further abductions and undermine efforts to combat organised crime. He reaffirmed the state's commitment to working closely with security agencies to safeguard lives and property.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen 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.

The attackers kidnapped 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal. During the attack, teacher Joel Adesiyan was reportedly shot dead while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, later died in captivity.

Following their rescue, the victims expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for securing their freedom. In a video released by the Presidency, one of the rescued victims thanked the President and members of the rescue team, saying, "We are grateful, Mr. President, sir.

"We understand your commitment to our safety, and we appreciate all you did for us. Every security operative tried so much, and that is why we are still alive now. We are very grateful to you."

The abduction had sparked nationwide outrage and prompted the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State to embark on a month-long strike to demand urgent action for the victims' release. The incident also heightened concerns over insecurity and attacks on schools across the country.

Reacting to the development, Governor Makinde thanked President Tinubu, the military, the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS and other security agencies for the successful operation, describing the rescue as "a big relief" for the victims' families and the people of Oyo State.

Earlier on Friday, Makinde suggested that the May 15 abduction occurred shortly after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking during a meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement in Bauchi, the governor noted that Oyo State had not experienced a school abduction throughout his seven years in office until the incident.

"For seven years, we didn't witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o'clock, and by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted," Makinde said.

The Presidency, however, maintained that the rescue was the result of a coordinated operation involving the military, the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that no ransom was paid and no detained criminal was exchanged for the victims' freedom.

Security agencies are expected to provide further details of the operation in the coming days.