There was joy and relief on Friday as all the pupils and teachers abducted during the deadly attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were successfully rescued by Nigerian security agencies after spending weeks in captivity.
The development was confirmed by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who announced that the victims had regained their freedom.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote on X.
According to reports, the rescue followed a joint operation involving the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force, supported by intelligence provided by the Department of State Services (DSS). Security sources disclosed that nine suspected bandits were killed, while eight others were arrested and are currently in DSS custody.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15 after gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esiele, and LA Primary School in Oriire LGA. The attack claimed the lives of two people, while 39 pupils and seven teachers were taken away by the attackers.
The incident forced the Oyo State Government to temporarily close schools in four local government areas as security agencies intensified efforts to rescue the victims. Sadly, Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed that one of the abducted teachers died while in captivity.
The successful rescue brings an end to weeks of anxiety for the victims’ families and the wider Oyo community, with many Nigerians welcoming the news and hoping for the continued fight against kidnapping across the country.
Source: Presidency (Bayo Onanuga)
