Kidnapped Oyo pupils and teachers have regained their freedom after nearly two months in captivity.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the pupils and teachers abducted by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after spending nearly two months in captivity.
The development was confirmed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who announced the rescue 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.
He added that no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the release of the victims, reaffirming the government’s stance against negotiating with kidnappers.
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The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed terrorists stormed 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.
During the coordinated attacks, no fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were kidnapped.
The incident turned tragic as a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was shot dead while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in the kidnappers’ camp.
Reports had indicated that the terrorists demanded the release of detained commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related laws as conditions for freeing the captives.
However, the Oyo State Government consistently maintained that it would not pay ransom for the release of the victims.
The mass abduction sparked widespread outrage across the state, prompting the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to embark on a month-long strike to demand intensified efforts toward rescuing the victims before suspending the industrial action in July.
The incident also attracted federal intervention, with the military and police repeatedly assuring Nigerians that coordinated security operations were underway to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Friday’s announcement marks the end of one of Oyo State’s most disturbing school abduction incidents in recent years, bringing relief to the families of the victims and the wider public.
