By Ene Rebecca
July 10, 2026
All the teachers and pupils abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity, according to the Presidency.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced the development on Friday in a post shared on X, formerly Twitter, confirming that security agencies had successfully secured the release of the victims.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed men launched coordinated attacks on three schools in the Esiele community of Oriire Local Government Area. The attackers abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School during the incident.
The abduction triggered widespread public concern and condemnation across the country, particularly following reports that one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed while in captivity.
Following the attack, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the abduction and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims. The President also assured Nigerians that those responsible for the crime would be brought to justice.
As of the time the rescue was announced, the Presidency had not disclosed details surrounding the operation, including the location where the victims were freed, their medical condition, or whether any arrests had been made in connection with the abduction.
The release of the teachers and pupils brings an end to nearly two months of uncertainty for the affected families and communities and marks a significant development in efforts to tackle school-related kidnappings in Nigeria.
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