Kidnapped Oyo pupils, teachers freed as security forces neutralise bandits, arrest 8

ALL the pupils and teachers abducted during the deadly attack on 3 schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after nearly 2 months in captivity, following a coordinated security operation that reportedly killed several bandits and led to multiple arrests.

The development was announced on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed on his verified X account that the victims had been rescued by Nigerian security agencies.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote, adding that no concession or ransom was paid to secure their release.

Security sources said the rescue followed a joint operation involving personnel of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force, supported by intelligence provided by the Department of State Services (DSS). According to the sources, at least 9 bandits were killed during the operation, while 8 suspects were arrested and are currently in DSS custody.

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The victims were abducted on May 15 when heavily armed gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esiele, and LA Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area, carting away dozens of pupils and teachers.

Authorities said no fewer than 39 pupils and 7 teachers, including a school principal, were kidnapped during the attack, while 2 teachers lost their lives. Joel Adesiyan was shot dead while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity.

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, 2 Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws before agreeing to free the victims. However, both the Nigerian government and the Oyo State government maintained throughout the crisis that no ransom would be paid.

The abduction sparked nationwide outrage and forced the Oyo State government to temporarily shut schools in 4 local government areas as security agencies intensified rescue efforts. The incident also prompted the Nigeria Union of Teachers to embark on a month-long strike to demand the safe return of the victims before suspending the action in July.

Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier described the incident as one of the state’s most difficult security challenges, while Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, assured Nigerians days earlier that troops were making significant progress towards rescuing the captives.

The successful operation brings to an end one of Nigeria’s most high-profile school abduction cases in recent months.