From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has drawn widespread celebration across Nigeria, while also triggering fresh political reactions in neighbouring Kwara State over the handling of kidnapping cases.
After 56 days in captivity, the abducted pupils and teachers regained their freedom following a coordinated security operation involving the military, intelligence agencies and the police, ending weeks of anxiety for families and school communities.
President Bola Tinubu, described the rescue as a major breakthrough in the country’s fight against insecurity, commending the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, for carrying out what he called an intelligence-driven operation.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers. This successful military operation has ended the siege and brought relief to the entire nation,” the President said.
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He disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation, while several members of the criminal gang were neutralised. Tinubu also pledged justice for the victims and the family of teacher Michael Oyedokun, who was murdered while in captivity.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun,” he assured.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
Thirty-nine pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were taken away during the attack. The incident also claimed the life of teacher Joel Adesiyan, who was reportedly shot while attempting to escape.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded ransom, the release of detained terrorist commanders, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws before freeing the victims. However, the Oyo State Government maintained that it would neither negotiate with nor pay ransom to the abductors.
The abduction sparked nationwide outrage, forced the Nigeria Union of Teachers to embark on a month-long strike and intensified pressure on security agencies to secure the victims’ release.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who visited the rescued pupils and teachers at the 2 Division Nigerian Army Medical Facility, praised the security agencies and assured the victims of continued medical and psychological care.
“I am very happy that the children are back. We give glory to God, and we appreciate our troops, the officers and men who played a significant role in securing their release,” Makinde said.
He also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives during the rescue operation, describing their sacrifice as invaluable.
The Nigerian Army explained that sustained intelligence gathering, strategic arrests and coordinated operations across Oyo State and other parts of the country eventually forced the kidnappers to release the captives without conditions.
According to the Army, troops worked alongside the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, DSS, National Intelligence Agency, NSCDC, Amotekun, hunters and local vigilantes.
“As part of the operations, multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and in other locations across some states. These arrests completely disorganized the group and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,” the Army stated.
The military added that further operations would continue to apprehend fleeing members of the criminal network.
Traditional ruler, the Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Olaoye, described the testimonies of the rescued victims as heartbreaking after visiting them in Ibadan.
“Listening to their testimonies was deeply emotional. Their account of life in the bush revealed the unimaginable hardship they endured. No human being deserves such cruel and inhumane treatment,” the monarch said, while commending security agencies for the successful operation.
The rescue also received the endorsement of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The forum described the operation as proof that intelligence sharing and collaboration among security agencies can produce results.
“We are especially proud of the commitment and professionalism of our security forces throughout the operation. We are confident that this impressive multi-agency collaboration will yield more successes,” the governors said.
However, the development quickly became a subject of political debate in Kwara State.
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), congratulated the Oyo Government and the rescued families but argued that the operation should serve as a wake-up call for authorities in Kwara over victims of the February 3, attack on Woro community, in Kaiama Local Government Area who are still being held by kidnappers.
“Our party is worried that while Oyo people celebrate the return of their citizens, Kwara State is left mourning. We cannot help but compare the Oyo success to the situation in Kwara, where innocent people abducted in Woro have been left in the kidnappers’ den,” the opposition party stated.
The PDP further claimed that Governor Makinde’s collaboration with the Federal Government and security agencies demonstrated the importance of decisive leadership during security emergencies, urging the Kwara State Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity.
While the rescue has restored hope to the affected Oyo families, the contrasting reactions from Kwara have also reignited conversations on the need for stronger collaboration, sustained intelligence gathering and faster responses to kidnapping incidents across Nigeria.
