How Kidnapped Oyo pupils, teachers Were Rescued
Oru Leonard
After 56 harrowing days in captivity, the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom following coordinated security operations led by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
The successful rescue, announced on Friday, brought an end to one of the most disturbing school abductions in recent times and marked the conclusion of weeks of intensive intelligence gathering and rescue efforts.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a post on his verified X handle, declaring: “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies.”
Onanuga also disclosed that the victims were rescued without the Federal Government making any concession to the kidnappers, despite their far-reaching demands.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed terrorists stormed 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 attack claimed the life of teacher Joel Adesiyan, who was shot while attempting to escape. Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded while in captivity, underscoring the brutality of the kidnappers.
During negotiations, the terrorists reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws as conditions for releasing the captives.
However, both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government maintained a firm stance that no ransom would be paid or concessions granted to secure the victims’ freedom.
Instead, security agencies intensified intelligence-driven operations that eventually led to the successful rescue of all the remaining captives after nearly two months in the kidnappers’ den.
The abduction had sparked widespread outrage across the country, forcing the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State to embark on a month-long strike to demand urgent government action before suspending the industrial action in July.
Throughout the crisis, military and police authorities repeatedly assured Nigerians that coordinated operations were ongoing to secure the release of the victims.
The successful rescue is being seen as a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s security agencies and a demonstration of the government’s resolve to tackle kidnapping without yielding to terrorist demands.
