• Tinubu, Makinde Hail Their Safe Return
• ⁠President Vows Justice As Eight Kidnappers Are Nabbed

President Bola Tinubu has expressed delight over the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Council of Oyo State, commending the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for ending the victims’ 56-day captivity.

The President’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu praised the security agencies for what he described as a painstaking, intelligence-led operation that secured the release of the victims without collateral damage, arrested eight of the suspected kidnappers and neutralised several others.

He also expressed sympathy with the victims, their families and the nation over the trauma caused by the abduction, describing the successful operation as a major relief after weeks of anxiety.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and led to the arrest of eight of them.

“This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular.

“On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our Armed Forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers.

“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr. Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered.

“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” the President said.

Tinubu also praised the Oyo State government for its collaboration with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts and urged the state to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar attacks.

He directed emergency response agencies to work closely with the Oyo State government to provide the rescued pupils and teachers with immediate medical attention, psychosocial care and other relief support required for their recovery.

Earlier, Onanuga had announced the rescue of the victims in a series of posts on his verified X handle, commending the efforts of the nation’s security agencies.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote.

Providing further details, the presidential spokesman disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the rescue operation and were in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while several others were killed in the operation.

He also dismissed speculation that the victims were released following negotiations involving the exchange of detained suspects.

“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. There was no quid pro quo in the rescue, as one of the terrorists, the kingpin whose release the kidnappers demanded, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give a full account soon,” Onanuga stated.

The Oyo State government had also announced the release of the victims, describing their freedom as a victory for resilience and principled leadership.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Information,  Dotun Oyelade, the government expressed gratitude that the victims had regained their freedom after weeks in captivity.

“We are happy to report to our people in Oyo State that our children and teachers at Oriire have been released from captivity,” Oyelade said.

He said the successful release marked a significant test of its resolve against criminal elements, stressing that it remained committed to resisting the payment of ransom despite pressure to adopt what it described as a “quick-fix” approach.

Oyelade stated that by refusing to throw money at bandits to secure a temporary solution, Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration had demonstrated courage and a long-term commitment to tackling kidnapping and banditry.

He noted that yielding to ransom demands would only encourage criminals and strengthen their operations.

The commissioner added that the administration’s approach reflected its determination to confront insecurity through pragmatic and sustainable measures rather than actions that could embolden criminal gangs seeking to destabilise the country.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of residents while continuing to work with security agencies to rid Oyo State of kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The victims, 39 pupils and seven teachers, were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed gunmen attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Council.

The incident took a tragic turn days later when one of the abducted teachers, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers, heightening public anxiety and calls for intensified security operations. It triggered nationwide outrage, disrupted academic activities and prompted an indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State.

Reacting to the development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator  Sharafadeen Alli, commended President Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Alli, in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan, also praised the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and the neutralisation of some members of the criminal gang during the rescue operation.

The APC governorship candidate  described the operation as a major victory against criminality, applauding  the feat as a demonstration of the renewed commitment of the Tinubu administration to safeguarding lives and property across the country.

He said that the successful operation had rekindled hope among Nigerians that the security architecture under the Tinubu administration was becoming more proactive, intelligence-driven and result-oriented.

The lawmaker said the swift response by the security agencies and the eventual rescue of the victims reflected the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in combating insecurity.

Alli urged security agencies not to relent until every member of the criminal syndicate responsible for the abduction was apprehended and brought to justice.

He also called for diligent prosecution of the arrested suspects to serve as a deterrent to others engaged in kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Expressing gratitude that the abducted pupils and teachers regained their freedom safely, the APC candidate prayed for their quick recovery from the traumatic experience.

He urged residents of Oyo State and Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information, stressing that security remained a collective responsibility.