Teachers and pupils abducted from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after nearly two months in captivity.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked the schools and abducted 46 pupils and teachers, including the principal of a secondary school.
The incident drew national attention after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by the kidnappers, sparking widespread outrage across the country.
The abduction also triggered protests by members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and other stakeholders, who called on the federal government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.
Reports had claimed the kidnappers demanded the payment of N1 billion into an account in the Benin Republic, the implementation of Sharia law in Nigeria, and the release of some of their members facing trial.
However, one of the victims, Mrs Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, later dismissed those claims in a video released from captivity, insisting the abductors had not made such demands.
Her appeal, along with similar messages from other captives, intensified calls for negotiations and rescue efforts. Several Nigerian celebrities also joined the campaign, urging authorities to act swiftly to secure the victims’ freedom.
Confirming the development on Friday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced that all the abducted pupils and teachers had been rescued.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote on his official X account.
Authorities are yet to provide details of the rescue operation or disclose whether any arrests were made in connection with the abduction.
