OYO STATE, Nigeria — At least 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from three schools in Oyo State on May 15, 2026, regained their freedom on Friday.
Golden Info reports that the Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the development. “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga said.
Armed attackers took the captives from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, which are located in the Esiele and Yawota communities of the Orire Local Government Area. A teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape during the initial attack, and a second teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded while in captivity.
The kidnappers presented a four-point demand prior to the release, requesting the freeing of detained terrorist commanders, monetary ransom, two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related laws. The Oyo State Government maintained throughout the ordeal that it would not pay a ransom to secure the release of the victims.
The abduction caused the Nigeria Union of Teachers to embark on a month-long strike to demand the rescue of the captives, an action the union suspended in July. Police and military personnel under the Federal Government of Nigeria conducted the operations that secured the release.