The pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire 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 Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
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 Presidency has given further details on the rescue. It said eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services, while some others were neutralised during the operation.
Onanuga explained that no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers. He said the kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded was neither freed nor spared, as he remains under prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.
“Updated: 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 full account soon,” he wrote.
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 pupils and teachers had spent weeks in captivity after gunmen stormed three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities on May 15, sparking national outrage. As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding their release, including the circumstances leading to their freedom, had yet to be fully disclosed. Security agencies are expected to provide a comprehensive account of the operation soon.
