Kidnapped Oyo pupils, teachers regain freedom after months in captivity

All 46 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after months in captivity, following a coordinated security operation involving multiple Nigerian security agencies.

Sources familiar with the operation confirmed to ARISE AFRICA NEWS that the victims were rescued on Friday evening during a sustained operation led by personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief the media, said several of the kidnappers were killed during the operation.

The rescued victims are expected to undergo medical examinations and psychological evaluation before being reunited with their families, although officials were yet to issue a formal statement at the time of filing this report.

Months of coordinated operations

The rescue brings to an end months of uncertainty following one of the most shocking school attacks recorded in Oyo State in recent years.

PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported that gunmen abducted 46 people—39 pupils and seven teachers—during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle; and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esinle.

The attackers stormed the schools simultaneously, overwhelming the largely rural communities before fleeing with the victims into nearby forests.

The incident triggered widespread condemnation from education stakeholders, civil society groups and residents, who called for intensified efforts to secure the children’s release and improve security around schools.

Security collaboration

According to the sources, the successful rescue followed months of intelligence gathering, surveillance and coordinated operations involving the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

The operation is understood to have relied heavily on intelligence-led tactics aimed at securing the victims’ release while minimising risks to their lives.

Although details of the operation remain sketchy, security sources disclosed that several terrorists were neutralised during the rescue mission.

Officials have yet to indicate whether any suspects were arrested or whether weapons and other items were recovered.

School security concerns

The abduction once again highlighted the growing security challenges facing schools in parts of Nigeria despite efforts by federal and state governments to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative.

Since the mass abduction of more than 270 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, in 2014, armed groups have repeatedly targeted educational institutions, particularly in northern Nigeria. While such attacks have been less common in the South-West, the Oriire incident underscored concerns that schoolchildren remain vulnerable across different parts of the country.

The Federal Government, with support from development partners, has in recent years expanded the Safe Schools Initiative, designed to improve security infrastructure, enhance early warning systems and strengthen emergency response mechanisms around schools.

Families await reunion

The rescue has brought relief to families who endured months of uncertainty over the fate of their children and relatives.

Authorities are expected to provide further details on the victims’ condition and the circumstances surrounding the operation after the rescued pupils and teachers have undergone medical assessment and debriefing.

The Office of the National Security Adviser and the security agencies involved were yet to release official statements on the operation as of press time.