IBADAN, NIGERIA — The Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, has broken his silence following the rescue of the 46 abducted pupils and teachers of Oriire Local Government Area, describing their release as a monumental moment of relief for the state’s entire basic education sector.
The 46 victims, comprising 39 pupils and seven teachers—including a school principal—were successfully extracted on Friday, after spending 56 traumatic days in a dense forest enclave following their violent abduction on May 15.
In a powerful statement personally signed in Ibadan, the state capital, Dr. Adeniran gave glory to God for preserving the lives of the young learners and educators throughout their captivity, noting that an entire state had held its breath.
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“The development has brought immense joy to families, colleagues, classmates, and all those who stood in prayers and hope throughout the period of their captivity,” Adeniran stated. “We congratulate teachers, learners, parents, school administrators, education stakeholders, and lovers of education across Oyo. Our collective faith, resilience, and unwavering hope have been rewarded with the good news of the victims’ release.”
The OYOSUBEB chief extended deep appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde for their high-level political will and strategic backing during the 56-day crisis.
He similarly lauded the joint team of the Military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force for their stellar professionalism and tactical bravery. The intelligence-led raid resulted in the neutralizing of several bandits and the arrest of eight syndicate members currently held in DSS custody. Importantly, the operation successfully circumvented the abductors’ attempts to force a high-profile prisoner-swap deal involving a detained criminal kingpin.
Turning his attention to the community infrastructure, Adeniran thanked religious bodies, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and the press for standing firmly by the vulnerable families during their darkest hour.
However, behind the celebrations remains a sobering layer of grief. While the state basic education board rejoices over the 46 returnees, the academic community continues to mourn Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, a dedicated mathematics teacher who was killed during the crisis, alongside another educator, 49-year-old Esiyan Adegboye, who was killed during the initial May 15 multi-school raid at Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele. President Tinubu has already vowed that the federal government will secure absolute justice for the families of the slain heroes.
As the rescued victims are transitioned into state-backed medical and psychological rehabilitation facilities to deal with severe post-traumatic stress, Dr. Adeniran concluded with a firm policy directive, stating that OYOSUBEB and the Oyo State government are scaling up school protection protocols.
“Once again, welcome home, our beloved teachers and pupils,” Adeniran noted. “The entire Oyo education family is delighted to have you back safely. We are firmly recommitted to ensuring that our public schools remain completely safe environments for teaching and learning across the state.”
