Abuja, Nigeria – Nigerian security forces have rescued 39 schoolchildren and six teachers who were held captive for nearly two months after being abducted from multiple schools in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026, the Presidency announced on Friday.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed that the victims were freed during an intelligence-led operation involving the military, police, and other security agencies. The rescue ended a 56-day ordeal for the hostages, who were abducted when heavily armed gunmen launched coordinated attacks on three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
The targeted schools included Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School. Local media reported that 46 people — 39 pupils and seven teachers — were initially taken during the attacks. One of the abducted teachers, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was later killed while in captivity.
President Bola Tinubu expressed profound relief over the successful rescue, commending the security forces for their tireless efforts over the past 56 days. “I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and the arrest of eight of them,” Tinubu said in a statement.
The President assured Nigerians that his administration would pursue justice for the victims and the family of the murdered teacher. “My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr. Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” he pledged.
Security operatives arrested eight suspected kidnappers during the rescue operation, while several others were neutralised. Onanuga confirmed that no ransom was paid to secure the victims’ release. “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 stated.
The military high command provided further details of the operation, revealing that it was led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Defence Headquarters, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, and other security agencies, as well as local vigilantes, hunters, and Amotekun corps.
The operation, which lasted more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins who masterminded the kidnapping, dismantling their networks and logistics links, and targeting their hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest. Multiple arrests were made across several states, which “completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,” according to the military statement.
The rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government to be reunited with their families. President Tinubu has directed emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide all necessary medical and relief support to the victims.
The abduction, which occurred hours after Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, marked a rare occurrence of school kidnappings in the southwestern state. Makinde had noted that Oyo State had not experienced a similar incident throughout his seven years in office until the May 15 attack.
School abductions remain a persistent security challenge in Nigeria, with militant groups frequently targeting educational institutions to pressure the government and extract ransoms. The Oyo abduction occurred in the same week as another mass kidnapping of dozens of children in Borno State, the epicentre of Nigeria’s security crisis.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State had earlier embarked on a strike action demanding the safe return of the victims, later suspending the action in July following assurances from security agencies. Governor Makinde has been commended by the President for his cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts.
Tinubu also charged the Oyo State Government to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents in the future.
