All pupils, students and teachers abducted from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State nearly two months ago have been rescued and reunited with their families, the Presidency has confirmed.
The victims were seized when armed terrorists stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School on May 15, 2026, in a coordinated attack that shocked the nation and drew federal intervention.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Byao Onanuga, announced that security agencies had successfully secured the release of those held captive in Orire, disclosing that one of the freed teachers has since sent a message of gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the security operatives involved in the rescue.
The breakthrough follows weeks of sustained federal action. On May 31, 2026, President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and ordered the deployment of a specialised rescue team as part of emergency security measures to secure the victims’ freedom.
The directive came shortly after a high-powered Federal Government delegation to Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire, the areas most affected by the abductions.The delegation, led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police; Tunji Disu; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare.
During the visit, Gbajabiamila told the residents that the President was troubled by the incident and had sent the nation’s top security leadership to signal his personal commitment to rescuing the victims.
The Chief of Staff added that rescue operations would be intelligence-led and carefully coordinated, employing both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies to ensure victims were returned safely.
