How Security Forces Freed Oyo Kidnap Victims

Fresh details have emerged on the operation that led to the rescue of 39 pupils and seven teachers kidnapped from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after spending 56 days in captivity.

The victims were freed during a coordinated security operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and intelligence support from the Department of State Services (DSS).

Security sources said nine suspected kidnappers were killed during the operation, while eight others were arrested and are currently being held by the DSS for further investigation.

The rescued pupils and teachers appeared weak and physically exhausted after weeks in captivity. A video shared by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, showed the victims receiving food shortly after their rescue. Their condition suggested they had suffered prolonged hunger while in the kidnappers’ camp.

The freed victims also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and members of the security agencies for the efforts that led to their release. Earlier videos released by the kidnappers had shown some of the captives appealing to the government during their time in the forest.

Security sources disclosed that the success of the operation followed weeks of careful planning. According to one source familiar with the mission, troops disrupted the supply of food and other essential items to the forest where the kidnappers were hiding. This strategy gradually weakened the gang and reduced its ability to continue holding the victims.

The source also revealed that security operatives arrested several people believed to be assisting the kidnappers from outside the forest camps. Their arrest reportedly weakened the criminal group’s communication and support network, making the rescue operation more successful.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde welcomed the development and described the rescue as a huge relief for the state. He thanked the military, the DSS, other security agencies and President Bola Tinubu for their roles in securing the release of the victims. He also acknowledged members of the media for keeping public attention on the incident throughout the period of captivity.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the Oyo State Government described the rescue as a major success in its fight against kidnapping. The government maintained that its decision not to pay ransom had been justified by the outcome of the operation.

The state government said the safe return of the pupils and teachers reflected its commitment to tackling insecurity without funding criminal activities. It maintained that paying ransom would only encourage more kidnappings and strengthen criminal groups.

The commissioner said the government remained under pressure to negotiate with the kidnappers but chose to rely on lawful security operations instead. He stated that the administration believed rewarding criminals with ransom payments would worsen insecurity across the country.

The government assured residents that it would continue working closely with security agencies to protect lives and property while intensifying efforts to eliminate kidnapping and other violent crimes across Oyo State.

Professor Wale Alamu, husband of one of the rescued school principals, described the release as the end of several weeks of emotional pain for his family. He said the experience had been extremely difficult and thanked everyone who contributed to the successful rescue.

He expressed appreciation to the Presidency, the Oyo State Government, members of the State Executive Council and Nigerians from different religious and social backgrounds who supported the victims and their families throughout the period of captivity.

Professor Alamu also urged the authorities to carefully study the incident and strengthen security around schools and vulnerable communities to prevent similar attacks in the future.

The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) also welcomed the development. Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, described the rescue as joyful news for parents across the country.

He praised the efforts of President Tinubu and the security agencies, saying the operation showed that Nigeria’s military remained capable of handling difficult security challenges. He also appealed to the government to continue providing the armed forces with the equipment and support needed to fight criminal groups effectively.

Ogunbanjo further urged the government not to forget other schoolchildren and citizens still being held by kidnappers in different parts of the country, including Borno and Kogi states. He called for sustained efforts until every victim regains freedom.

The victims in Oyo were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

During the attack, the gunmen kidnapped 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal. A teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape during the attack, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, later died in captivity.

The abduction sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and led to stronger security operations. It also prompted the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state to embark on a month-long strike while demanding urgent action to rescue the victims.

Throughout the crisis, the Oyo State Government maintained its position that it would not pay ransom to kidnappers, insisting that such payments would only encourage more criminal activities.

Meanwhile, the security challenge remains in other parts of the country. More than 40 children, some as young as two years old, who were abducted from schools in Borno State on the same day as the Oyo incident, are still being held by their captors.