Presidency confirms rescue of kidnapped Oyo pupils, teachers after 50 days in captivity

The Presidency has announced the rescue of all pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development on Friday evening, stating that security agencies carried out the operation.

The victims were kidnapped more than 50 days ago, and one teacher lost his life while in captivity.

Rescue operation and arrests

Onanuga said eight of the kidnappers were arrested during the rescue operation and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). Some other members of the gang were neutralised.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga said.

“In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised.”

He stated that no ransom or prisoner swap was involved. Although the kidnappers demanded the release of one of their kingpins, Onanuga confirmed that the suspect remains in custody and is being prosecuted for his alleged crimes.

Security agencies are expected to provide a full account of the rescue operation in due course. The announcement was accompanied by videos showing the rescued pupils and teachers, including one teacher who had previously appeared in videos released by the kidnappers.

Timeline of the abduction

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools in the Ahoro Esiele/Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The affected schools were Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

Tens of pupils and teachers were taken during the attack, including Vice Principal Mrs. Folawe Alamu, who later appeared in videos appealing for rescue. One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, died in captivity.

In early June, the Nigeria Police Force debunked viral reports claiming the victims had been released, insisting rescue efforts were still ongoing. The prolonged captivity triggered protests in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states. The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers directed public school teachers to withdraw their services from June 1.

Following the attack, President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and ordered intensified efforts to rescue the victims.

What this means for Nigeria’s school security crisis

School abductions remain one of Nigeria’s biggest education security challenges. Save the Children International says at least 1,683 learners were abducted across the country between 2014 and 2022. UNICEF estimates that insecurity forced the closure of 11,536 schools during the 2020/2021 academic session, disrupting learning for about 1.3 million children.

Attacks have continued in recent years, with gunmen targeting schools in Kebbi and Niger states in late 2025. Beyond schools, criminal groups have also attacked rural communities and places of worship. According to SBM Intelligence, Nigeria’s kidnap-for-ransom crisis generated at least N2.57 billion for criminal groups between July 2024 and June 2025, with ransom demands estimated at N48 billion during the period. The rescue of the Oyo pupils offers a rare relief, but the broader security and economic toll of abduction continues to weigh on Nigerian families and businesses.