The Presidency has confirmed the rescue of all pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, announced the rescue on Friday evening.

He said security agencies carried out the operation and brought the victims out after more than 50 days in captivity.

The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, after armed men attacked schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire LGA.

Eight Suspects Arrested

Onanuga said security operatives arrested eight suspected kidnappers during the rescue operation.

He added that the suspects are now in the custody of the Department of State Services.

According to him, some other members of the gang were also stopped during the operation.

He said security agencies will give a full briefing on the rescue at a later date.

Presidency Denies Prisoner Swap

The Presidency also denied any form of exchange deal with the kidnappers.

Onanuga said the abductors had demanded the release of one of their detained leaders.

He said the suspect remains in custody and is facing prosecution.

The statement sought to counter claims that the victims’ release followed a compromise with the armed group.

How the Abduction Happened

The attack took place in three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

The affected schools were Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

The gunmen took several pupils and teachers during the raid.

Among the abducted staff was Vice Principal Mrs. Folawe Alamu, who later appeared in videos released by the kidnappers. One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, died while in captivity.

Long Captivity Triggered Public Anger

The prolonged abduction caused fear and anger across Oyo State and beyond.

Parents, teachers and residents held protests in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states.

The Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers also directed public school teachers to withdraw their services from June 1.

In early June, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed viral claims that the victims had been released. The police said rescue operations were still ongoing at the time.

President Bola Tinubu later approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and directed security agencies to intensify rescue efforts.

Why This Rescue Matters

The rescue brings relief to the families after weeks of uncertainty.

It also returns attention to the growing threat against schools in Nigeria.

School abductions have become one of the country’s most serious education security problems. Save the Children International says at least 1,683 learners were abducted in Nigeria between 2014 and 2022.

UNICEF has also estimated that insecurity forced the closure of 11,536 schools during the 2020/2021 academic session. The closures disrupted learning for about 1.3 million children.

These figures show the scale of the crisis.

Expert View

The rescue is a major relief, but it should not end the conversation.

Nigeria needs stronger school protection, especially in rural communities. The government must improve intelligence gathering, community policing and emergency response around schools.

The approval of forest guards may help, but recruitment alone will not solve the problem. Authorities must train, equip and coordinate them properly with police, DSS, local vigilantes and school administrators.

The bigger goal should be prevention. No child should spend weeks in captivity before security agencies respond effectively.

What to Watch Next

Security agencies are expected to provide more details on the operation.

The public will also watch how the government prosecutes the arrested suspects.

For Oyo State, the next step is clear. Authorities must rebuild confidence in school safety and reassure parents that children can return to class without fear.

The rescue has ended one painful chapter. The harder task is stopping the next attack.

FAQs

Who announced the rescue of the Oyo pupils and teachers?

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, announced the rescue.

Where were the pupils and teachers abducted?

They were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

When did the abduction happen?

The attack happened on May 15, 2026.

Were any suspects arrested?

Yes. The Presidency said security agencies arrested eight suspected kidnappers during the rescue operation.

Did the government agree to a prisoner swap?

No. The Presidency said there was no exchange deal. It said the detained kingpin demanded by the kidnappers remains in custody and is being prosecuted