No fewer than 284 serving and retired academics of the University of Ibadan (UI) have donated about N6 million to teachers, pupils and bereaved families affected by the May 15, 2026 terrorist attack and abduction in Oriire Local Council of Oyo State, in a major humanitarian intervention aimed at supporting the victims’ rehabilitation.

On May 15, 2026, a total of 46 people, consisting of 39 students and seven teachers, were kidnapped when terrorists simultaneously raided Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community High School (Ahoro-Esinele), and LA Primary School (Ahoro-Esinele) in Oriire Local Council of Oyo State. Two of the abducted teachers were later killed in captivity. The 44 remaining abductees were rescued on July 10, 2026.

In their bid to support the rescued teachers and students, as well as those who lost loved ones, the UI scholars contributed the sum.

The donation was raised through voluntary contributions by former vice-chancellors, the Vice-Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale; the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Prof. Jonathan Babalola; professors and early-career academics.

Chairman of UI Ad-Hoc Committee on Support for Oriire Rescued Abductees, Prof. Ezekiel Ayoola, who led the delegation, said the intervention reflected the academic community’s solidarity with the victims.

Ayoola, while describing the occasion as both solemn and hopeful, said the donation was intended to complement ongoing rehabilitation efforts while reassuring the survivors that they had not been forgotten.

He, however, commended the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government and security agencies for their coordinated efforts that led to the rescue of the victims.

Ayoola, who urged Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to support the victims, stressed that their rehabilitation remained a collective responsibility.

Earlier, the Inspector-General of Education, Ogbomoso Zone, Olubunmi Biodun Adisa, described the gesture as a remarkable demonstration of compassion and social responsibility.