The Nigerian presidency has stated that all the teachers and pupils abducted in Ogbomoso, Oyo state have regained their freedom.
Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, announced on X on Friday that they were rescued by security agencies.
On May 15, 2026, Oyo State was shaken by a brazen attack that underscored the growing vulnerability of schools in Nigeria’s southwest.
Armed men on motorcycles, dressed in military fatigues, stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele.
They opened fire to instill fear, then seized dozens of pupils and their teachers in broad daylight. Among those taken were toddlers barely two years old, alongside at least seven teachers.
One of the rescued teachers in Oyo sends a thank you message to President Tinubu and the security agencies. pic.twitter.com/bGeuhvWH7F
— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) July 10, 2026
The kidnappers herded their captives into the dense forests around Old Oyo National Park, a terrain that has increasingly become a haven for armed groups. The abduction sent shockwaves through the communities, forcing families to flee and schools to shut down indefinitely.
Parents vowed not to send their children back to class, while the Nigerian Union of Teachers declared an indefinite strike across the state, demanding urgent government action.
Security forces, including the Nigerian Army, Amotekun corps, and local hunters, launched rescue operations, engaging the abductors in fierce gun battles.
The incident had sparked nationwide outrage. Civil society groups, celebrities, and activists staged protests, demanding accountability and swift rescue efforts.
(SaharaReporters)
