The 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after spending nearly two months in captivity.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development on Friday in a post on his verified X handle.
However, he did not provide details of the rescue operation or state whether any ransom was paid to secure the victims’ release.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed men invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
The attackers abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, during the coordinated assault.
The incident turned tragic as Joel Adesiyan, a teacher, was shot dead while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in captivity.
The Oyo State Government consistently maintained that it would not negotiate with or pay ransom to the kidnappers.
The mass abduction sparked widespread outrage and disrupted academic activities across the state, prompting the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to embark on a month-long strike to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the industrial action in July.
