Abducted Oyo pupils, teachers freed after 56 days in captivity, kidnappers arrested

The pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire in Oyo State have regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.

Special Adviser to the President on information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga announced their release in a post on X on Friday, confirming that the victims were rescued from their abductors.

TheTimes had reported how gunmen abducted 46 pupils and teachers, including the principal of a secondary school, during the 15 May 2026 attack.

The crisis worsened days later when one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed by the kidnappers.

The incident sparked widespread outrage, leading to nationwide protests by members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and other stakeholders, who demanded urgent action.

Onanuga disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the rescue operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while several others were neutralised.

He also added that no ransom or prisoner exchange was involved in securing the victims’ release, noting that one of the gang leaders whose release was demanded by the kidnappers remains on trial for alleged terrorist activities.

He also said security agencies would provide a full account of the operation in due course.

The victims were kidnapped during an attack in Oriire Local Government Area, on May 15 with their ordeal drawing widespread concern and calls for their safe return.

Meanwhile 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.

The President 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 Oriire, 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.

The abduction

On May 15, terrorists belonging to Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru, struck three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, killing a teacher and abducting pupils and teachers.

The schools are Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Esiele.

No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were abducted during the attacks.

One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded the following day by the terrorists in a bid to deter security operatives pursuing them.

While the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government intensified efforts to rescue the victims, the difficult terrain of the Old Oyo National Park and the terrorists’ constant movement reportedly stalled the rescue operation.

The terrorists also reportedly demanded, about a month ago, the release of two Boko Haram commanders, Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also known as Mallam Mamuda, in exchange for the pupils and teachers.

Jubilation on after rescue

There was jubilation across the country on Friday, as abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.

Reports showed that residents, travellers and passers-by in the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State broke into spontaneous celebrations as news of the victims’ release filtered in, bringing an end to weeks of anxiety that had gripped families, schools and residents since the May 15 abduction.

Motorists and commercial motorcyclists parked along major roads to celebrate, while many residents offered prayers of thanksgiving for the safe return of the victims.

Victims’ rescue a huge relief -Makinde

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde described the rescue operation as a huge relief, saying it had brought joy to families and everyone who had anxiously awaited the victims’ return.

Makinde spoke on Friday during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, shortly after the Oyo State Government confirmed the victims’ release.

“It was such a big relief for all of us and for those waiting for the past 57 days. I think it is a big relief for all of us,” he said.

Makinde commended the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, the military, the service commanders and Tinubu for what he described as sustained efforts that led to the victims’ release.

“We will use this opportunity to say thank you to our service commanders, the Nigerian Police, the DSS, the military, the high command, and of course, the President for pushing really hard to have this done,” he said.

The governor also appreciated the media for keeping public attention on the abduction throughout the victims’ captivity.

“I am just overjoyed right now and I cannot say much. I will talk much later when I have put my thoughts together. We are also grateful to the press for sustaining the pressure on everybody until we got to this point,” Makinde said.

Our uncle is never coming home -Slain Oyo teacher’s family

Also, the family of Michael Oyedokun, the teacher beheaded by the terrorists a day after the abduction, has expressed mixed emotions following the rescue, saying that while other families are celebrating, theirs will never experience such joy.

Reacting to the release of the abducted pupils and teachers on Friday, Oluwabukolami, who identified herself as Oyedokun’s niece and has served as the family’s spokesperson on Instagram since the incident, said the return of the victims could not erase the pain of losing her uncle.

In a post shared on Instagram, she congratulated the rescued victims and their families but lamented that her uncle would never return home.

“They are finally home. My heart rejoices with every family that has been reunited with their loved ones after weeks of pain, fear and uncertainty. Welcome home.

“But as others celebrate, my family mourns. My uncle, Mr Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, will never come home. He was taken from us, and his life was brutally cut short. Our joy is incomplete because one chair at our table will remain empty forever.

“Today, we celebrate those who returned while remembering the one who never did. Rest in peace, Uncle Michael. You will never be forgotten,” she wrote.