46 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after spending nearly two months in captivity.
Videos circulating online showed the victims being warmly received by family members, residents and well-wishers, bringing relief to loved ones who had endured weeks of anxiety and uncertainty over their whereabouts.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, L.A. Primary School, and Community Grammar School in Esiele. During the attack, a teacher was killed, while several pupils and teachers were whisked away into the Old Oyo National Park.
The abduction sparked widespread condemnation across the country, with parents, community leaders and civil society groups calling for intensified efforts to secure the victims’ safe return.
Throughout the period of their captivity, security agencies sustained rescue operations, while the state government repeatedly assured residents that every effort was being made to bring the victims home safely.
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Video
STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT
PRESIDENT TINUBU EXPRESSES JOY OVER THE RESCUE OF ORIIRE ABDUCTED CHILDREN AND TEACHERS, COMMENDS SECURITY AGENCIES
President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound joy at the successful rescue of the children and teachers from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, by the security forces.
President Tinubu praised the heroic efforts of the security agencies, especially the military, the DSS and the police, for working round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others.
President Tinubu regretted the anguish that the children and their teachers, as well as members of their families and the entire nation, have experienced since the sad occurrence.
For cooperating with the Federal Government in all rescue efforts, President Tinubu commended the Oyo State Government and charged it to ensure adequate security around schools across the state.
"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.
"This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular. On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers.
"My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered.
"I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end," the President said.
President Tinubu has also directed that the emergency agencies work with the Oyo State Government to provide all necessary medical and relief support to the children and the teachers.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
July 10, 2026