All pupils, students and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been rescued after spending about 56 days in captivity.
The Presidency announced the successful operation on Friday, revealing that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested while several others were neutralised during the rescue mission.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the development in a series of posts on his verified X account, describing the rescue as the result of sustained security operations.
According to Onanuga, all the victims have regained their freedom, while the arrested suspects are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He also dismissed claims that the victims were released following negotiations, payment of ransom or a prisoner exchange.
Onanuga stated that one of the kidnappers’ major demands was the release of a detained kingpin, but the Federal Government rejected the request as the suspect is currently facing prosecution for alleged criminal offences.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15 after heavily armed bandits 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 attack sparked widespread outrage across the country, with parents, labour unions, traditional rulers and civil society organisations calling for urgent action to secure the release of the captives.
The incident also prompted the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike over growing insecurity in schools.
Following the abduction, President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack and directed security agencies to intensify intelligence-led operations to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
The President also deployed a high-powered Federal Government delegation to the affected communities, approved the deployment of specialised rescue assets and authorised the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security across Oyo State.
The successful operation brings to an end one of Nigeria’s most closely monitored school kidnapping cases in recent months. Security agencies are expected to provide further details on the rescue operation, the arrests and the condition of the rescued victims.
