AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
Security agencies have rescued all the pupils, students and teachers abducted by bandits from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after spending about 56 days in captivity.
Eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation, while several others were neutralised.
The Presidency announced the breakthrough on Friday evening, describing it as the result of sustained security operations that also foiled the abductors’ attempt to secure the release of one of their detained leaders.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the development in a series of posts on his verified X handle.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo, have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote.
Providing further details, he said: “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.”
Onanuga also dismissed reports suggesting that the victims regained their freedom through negotiations or a prisoner exchange.
“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, whose release the kidnappers demanded, is being prosecuted for his atrocities,” he said, adding that “the security agencies will give a full account soon.”
The victims were abducted on May 15 when heavily armed bandits attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, abducting dozens of pupils, students and teachers.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage, with parents, labour unions, traditional rulers and civil society organisations mounting sustained pressure on the authorities to secure the victims’ release. It also prompted the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike over growing insecurity in schools.
President Bola Tinubu had condemned the attack and directed security agencies to intensify intelligence-led operations to rescue the captives and bring those responsible to justice.
The President subsequently deployed a high-powered Federal Government delegation to the affected communities, approved the deployment of specialised rescue assets and authorised the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security across Oyo State.
Friday’s operation brings to an end one of Nigeria’s most closely watched school kidnapping cases in recent months. Security agencies are expected to provide a detailed briefing on the rescue operation, the arrests and the condition of the rescued victims.
