Thirty-nine pupils and seven teachers abducted from the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026, have been successfully rescued after 56 days in captivity within the Old Oyo National Park.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced the breakthrough in a post on X on Friday evening, July 10, 2026. “Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo, have been freed,” Onanuga wrote, crediting a highly coordinated, intelligence-driven operation by the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and police forces.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, confirmed the rescue, describing the safe return of the children and educators as a monumental triumph of resilience and principled governance. State and federal authorities emphasized that the administration firmly withstood immense pressure throughout the multi-week crisis, successfully rejecting ransom payouts or concessions to the criminal elements.
The victims were originally taken from communities including Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota, sparking intense nationwide outrage and localized protests. While initial fears loomed that the crisis might mirror long-term historical abductions, a relentless containment strategy by Nigeria’s joint security agencies ultimately closed escape corridors and neutralized the armed bandits. Federal authorities confirmed that eight suspected kidnappers were apprehended during the mission and are currently in DSS custody, signaling a robust blow against regional banditry networks.
