Teachers and pupils abducted during the May 15, 2026 attack on schools in Ahoro-Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, have regained their freedom after spending over 50 days in captivity.
The victims were kidnapped when heavily armed gunmen attacked three schools in the community, abducting dozens of pupils, teachers, and the school principal. The attack sparked nationwide condemnation and renewed concerns about the safety of schools across Nigeria.
The ordeal took a tragic turn days after the abduction when one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by the abductors. The incident heightened public anxiety and calls for urgent measures to secure educational institutions.
Confirming their release, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the victims were rescued through a coordinated operation by Nigerian security agencies.
According to him, eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, while several others were neutralized during the operation.
Onanuga stated that no ransom was paid and no prisoner swap took place. He explained that although the kidnappers demanded the release of one of their kingpins, the Federal Government rejected the demand because the suspect is already facing prosecution for terrorism-related offences.
He added that security agencies would provide a comprehensive briefing on the rescue operation in due course.
The successful rescue has brought relief to the victims’ families, the Ahoro-Esiele community, and Nigerians who followed the case for more than eight weeks.
Security agencies are expected to release further details on the operation, including the condition of the rescued victims and ongoing efforts to apprehend other members of the kidnapping syndicat