The pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.
The successful rescue was announced on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In a post on his verified X account, Onanuga confirmed that security agencies rescued all the victims.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
He added that no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the victims’ release.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men 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.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were taken during the coordinated attacks.
During the invasion, a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape. Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded while in captivity, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage.
The kidnappers had reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, the payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law before releasing the captives.
However, both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government maintained that no ransom would be paid and no concession would be made to the abductors.
The abduction sparked widespread concern across the country, prompting the Nigeria Union of Teachers to embark on a month-long strike in Oyo State to demand the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
The rescue followed weeks of coordinated operations by the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, bringing an end to one of the country’s longest school abduction incidents in recent months.
