All schoolchildren and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo State have been freed, the presidency confirmed on Friday, July 10, 2026. Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, announced the rescue on his official X (formerly Twitter) page, stating that security agencies successfully recovered everyone taken captive.
Coordinated Attack on Schools
Armed men launched a simultaneous assault on May 15, 2026, targeting Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and two other schools in Esiele, within the Ahoro Esinele community. Police described the attack as coordinated. The victims included 39 students and several teachers. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo State put the total at 46 persons, most of them children aged between two and 16 years.
Joint Rescue Operation
A joint operation involving soldiers, police officers, and local vigilantes was disrupted on May 15 when attackers planted improvised explosive devices along the rescue route, leaving several personnel wounded. Those injured were taken for medical treatment, according to Governor Seyi Makinde. The governor also confirmed that one teacher was killed in custody, citing video evidence that emerged during the crisis.
Presidential Response
President Tinubu condemned the attacks as "barbaric" shortly after the abductions and pledged that the federal government was working alongside Oyo state authorities to bring the victims home. He said at the time: "We expect a breakthrough soon." The rescue closes a nearly two-month ordeal that drew international attention.
Security Context
The Oriire incident was among the most alarming kidnapping cases to strike Nigeria's southwest, a region largely spared from school abductions more commonly associated with the north. As Reuters reported, mass kidnappings by armed criminal groups have grown into a significant security challenge across Nigeria, with gangs increasingly targeting students, travellers, and rural communities for ransom.
