After 56 Days in Captivity, Security Forces Rescue Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers; Eight Kidnappers Arrested
The Federal Government on Friday announced the rescue of all pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, bringing to an end a traumatic 56-day ordeal that had gripped the nation.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the development in a post on his X handle.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
Onanuga subsequently revealed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, while several others were neutralised.
He also dismissed reports suggesting that the victims were released through a prisoner swap, insisting that there was “no quid pro quo” in securing their freedom.
According to him, one of the terrorist kingpins whose release had allegedly been demanded by the kidnappers remains on trial over terrorism-related offences.
The Abduction
The victims were kidnapped on May 15 when heavily armed gunmen, some dressed in military fatigues and riding motorcycles, invaded three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso.
The affected schools were Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
The attackers reportedly opened fire before whisking away pupils, students and teachers, including a two-year-old toddler. At least one person was killed during the attack.
Governor Seyi Makinde later confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were taken from Baptist Nursery and Primary School.
In all, 39 pupils and seven teachers, totalling 46 victims, including the school principal, Folawe Alamu, were confirmed abducted.
National Outrage
President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric, and immediately ordered a comprehensive rescue operation.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, deployed additional detectives to Oyo State to spearhead a technology-driven rescue mission.
Public anger intensified after a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers in a video that sparked nationwide condemnation. The killing was said to have been intended to discourage security operatives who were closing in on the kidnappers’ hideout.
A high-powered federal delegation led by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, visited the affected communities. Other members of the delegation included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa and presidential aide Sunday Dare.
President Tinubu also approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and directed a specialised rescue unit to intensify operations.
Negotiations, Protests and False Reports
During the crisis, reports emerged that the kidnappers had established communication with the Oyo State Government and demanded the release of two detained Boko Haram/Ansaru commanders, Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, as conditions for freeing the victims.
The crisis triggered widespread protests and industrial action.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike, insisting that the victims must be rescued before schools could resume.
Solidarity rallies were subsequently held across several state capitals.
The period of captivity was also marked by repeated misinformation, as at least three separate reports falsely claimed that the victims had regained freedom. The Oyo State Government and the police repeatedly debunked the claims.
Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, also led protests to the governor’s office, while civil society groups criticised the government’s handling of the crisis and demanded urgent action.
After about a month of industrial action, the teachers’ union suspended its strike following assurances from the government that efforts to secure the release of the victims had intensified.
Defence authorities had earlier disclosed that the kidnappers threatened to kill the captives if security forces attempted a forceful rescue, a development that reportedly prolonged the operation and necessitated a more strategic approach.
With all the victims now rescued, attention has shifted to the security agencies, which are expected to provide a detailed account of the operation, including the circumstances surrounding the rescue and the arrests of the suspects.
The successful operation, however, marks the end of one of the country’s most disturbing school abduction incidents in recent times and offers relief to families who endured nearly two months of uncertainty and anguish.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
