*After About 50 Days In Captivity
Joy hit Oyo State today following disclosure that the kidnapped pupils and teachers from Orire in the state have regained their freedom, about 50 days after their abduction by terrorists.
News of their release came in a post on X by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
It stated: “Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo, have been freed by their abductors.”
Details surrounding their release, including whether ransom was paid, had yet to be disclosed.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on 15 May, 2026, when gunmen, later widely identified as terrorists attacked three schools, Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area (LGA).
At least 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were kidnapped and conveyed into the forests by the assailants.
During the attack, an academic staff member, identified as Joel Adesiyan, was killed as he moved to escape while, perhaps to demonstrate they meant cold business, the terrorists beheaded another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, in the forests.
From the forests, the terrorists reportedly made a four-point demand, the fulfilment of which would lead to freedom for the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law in the state and other places.
Following public backlash, especially over the Sharia matter, the terrorists compelled the school principal to do a viral video debunking the said demand.
As the wave of angry public criticism of the kidnap grew across the country, civil society and professional groups such as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on protests for a month to press for release of the abductees.
The Oyo State Government consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate employment of Forest Guards to assist in tracking and freeing the victims just as military and police authorities repeatedly assured Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
*PHOTO CAPTION: The pupils.
