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56 Days In Captivity: All 44 Oyo School Pupils & Teachers Kidnapped In May Have Been Rescued
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56 Days In Captivity: All 44 Oyo School Pupils & Teachers Kidnapped In May Have Been Rescued
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There’s finally some good news for parents in Oyo State.
After 56 days in captivity, all the schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped from Oriire LGA in May have been released.
What happened
On May 15, 2026, gunmen invaded 3 schools in Ahoro-Esiele area of Oriire LGA:
- Community High School
- Baptist Nursery and Primary School
- L.A. Primary School
They abducted 44 people — 39 pupils and 7 teachers, including the principal. One teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was killed while in captivity.
For almost 2 months families didn’t know if their children were alive.
How they were rescued
On Friday, July 10, 2026, the Presidency announced that security forces rescued all remaining victims.
The operation was intelligence-driven and targeted terrorist kingpins and their hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park Forest.
8 kidnappers were arrested and some were neutralized during the operation.
The Federal Government confirmed there was “no quid pro quo” — meaning no ransom or prisoner swap was made. There was also a demand to release a terrorist kingpin which the government rejected.
Current condition of victims
The rescued pupils and teachers were taken to LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso for medical evaluation.
About 35 of them have been discharged and reunited with families.
Doctors found one child with a congenital heart defect during the checkup and he’s receiving treatment.
The Presidency said the rescue was part of a wider effort to “smoke out criminal elements” from Oyo, Kwara, and Niger States.
What people are saying
Parents are thanking God and the security agencies. But many are also asking: “How do we keep our schools safe?”
This is the second school rescue in one week after the Kogi NECO exam centre attack.
Our prayers are with the families 🙏
The trauma of 56 days can’t be erased in one day. Counseling and support will be needed.
What do you think the government should do to protect rural schools? Comment below.
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