The Presidency has given critical details on the rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, confirming that eight of the kidnappers have been arrested while several others were neutralised during a fierce tactical operation.
The arrested suspects are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), bringing a dramatic end to a harrowing, multi-week ordeal that had kept the entire nation on edge.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the operational breakthrough on Friday evening. He firmly dismissed claims of any prisoner exchange or compromise, asserting that no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the academic community.
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According to Onanuga, the criminal gang had specifically demanded the release of a detained terrorist kingpin alongside a heavy ransom, vehicles, and ideological concessions as part of a four-point demand. However, the federal government and the Oyo State Government refused to bow to the blackmail. The kingpin remains in state custody and is actively being prosecuted for his atrocities.
“Updated: in the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised,” Onanuga stated. “There was no quid pro quo in the rescue… The security agencies will give full account soon.”
The 46 victims, including 39 schoolchildren and seven faculty members, were violently snatched on May 15, 2026, when bandits stormed three schools—Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School—across the Esiele and Yawota communities. The prolonged captivity took a tragic turn when the terrorists killed a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, during the initial assault, and later beheaded another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, sparking severe public condemnation and a month-long strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
Following their rescue by joint security forces, a video released by the Presidency showed the visibly relieved survivors offering praises to the administration and security personnel.
“We are grateful, Mr President, sir,” one of the freed victims said in the recording. “We understand your commitment to our safety, and we appreciate all you did for us. Every security operative tried so much and that is why we are still alive now.”
The joint security forces are still combing the forest axes to clear out residual remnants of the syndicate, while the rescued pupils and faculty undergo comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation before reuniting with their families.
