Federal Government Releases Footage of Oyo Rescue Operation
The Federal Government has released footage of the joint operation that led to the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo state on Friday, July 10. The rescue closes a nearly two-month ordeal that began on May 15, 2026, when armed men launched a simultaneous assault on Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and two other schools in Esiele, within the Ahoro Esinele community in Oriire LGA.
The presidency had earlier stated that security agencies successfully rescued everyone taken captive. Police described the assault as a coordinated attack. The victims included 39 students and some teachers, with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo state putting the total at 46 persons, most of them children aged between two and 16 years.
Public Reactions to the Released Footage
The footage, released on Sunday, July 11, has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians. Many have questioned the government's response speed and adequacy, citing disparity in handling kidnappings in the northern part of the country.
Oluwat'Obi-dient Ifeanyi criticised the government: "It took 60 days to assemble the team, I guess. The moment every Nigerian military and paramilitary unit started wearing Special Forces (SF), I knew there was a problem. SEAL Team 8 would have done better work, even showing us how they operated in 6 days."
Adewale defended the government: "Children of HATES and bastards were asking silly questions that there were no shootings (meaning it's a drama), forgetting that the video has been edited and forgetting that it takes a brave cameraman to record such high-risk scenes. Their generation forbids good news."
Nightmare questioned the disparity: "So the government really has the power to do all this, but they leave the northerners to be kidnapped and killed like goats with any actions hmmmmm I swear to God this government is evil, is it that the northerners are not part of Nigeria or what?"
Fresh pumpkin posited that the government should act before bandits strike: "What I don't understand is why they only act once a person is kidnapped. So now they will wait again for another person to be kidnapped to act. For them to be able to track the location, it therefore means all these bandit videos from TikTok live, propaganda videos of bandits, bandits displaying money. They could actually track, but they don't; they only track after kidnapping has happened. Why must you have to wait to act like this? Just look at the weapons they have, yet they refuse to use it and track and kill these bandits. They are well-dressed, organised, equipped, and tactical men. Why are this people not always use them to track and kill these bandits?"
Adeboye Comments on Rescue of Oyo Pupils
Legit.ng earlier reported that the RCCG has described the rescue of abducted Oriire schoolchildren as divine fulfilment after weeks of fasting and prayer. Pastor Enoch Adeboye revealed that God told him the release of the pupils would be dramatic, though no timeline or details were given.
Security agencies rescued 39 pupils and 7 teachers on Friday after 57 days in captivity, with the presidency confirming no concessions were made to the kidnappers.
