The Oyo State Government has confirmed the release of the pupils and teachers abducted from a school in Oriire Local Government Area, describing their freedom as a triumph of resilience, coordinated security efforts and principled leadership.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed assailants invaded their school in Oriire Local Government Area, sparking widespread concern and prompting a multi-agency rescue operation involving security forces.
Announcing their release in a statement, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, expressed gratitude that the victims had regained their freedom after spending several weeks in captivity.
“We are happy to report to our people in Oyo State that our children and teachers at Oriire have been released from captivity,” the statement read.
Oyelade said the successful rescue represented a significant test of the state’s resolve in confronting criminal elements, adding that the government remained steadfast in its refusal to pay ransom despite pressure to adopt what it described as a “quick-fix” solution.
According to him, Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration demonstrated courage and a long-term commitment to combating kidnapping and banditry by resisting calls to pay ransom to the abductors.
He argued that yielding to ransom demands would only embolden criminal groups, strengthen their operations and encourage further kidnappings.
The commissioner stated that the government’s approach reflected its determination to tackle insecurity through sustainable and strategic measures rather than actions that could empower criminal gangs seeking to undermine public safety.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of residents and pledged continued collaboration with security agencies to eliminate kidnapping and other violent crimes across Oyo State.
The release brings an end to nearly two months of uncertainty following the abduction, which drew national attention and heightened concerns over the safety of schools in the state. The incident was one of several recent attacks on educational institutions across parts of Nigeria, underscoring the persistent security challenges facing communities and the need for sustained efforts to safeguard students, teachers and other vulnerable groups.
