The Oyo state government has formally released the names of nine individuals who lost their lives during the abduction and subsequent rescue operation involving students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA). Four civilians and five military and security personnel were killed in the incident, which occurred in the communities of Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota.
List of Victims Published by the Government
In a tribute posted on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, via its official X account, the state government named each of the fallen individuals, describing them as those who "lost their lives during the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota, Oriire Local Government Area abduction incident." The civilians listed are Michael Oyedokun, John Olaleye, Joel Adesiyan, and Oluwasegun Akanni. The military and security personnel honoured are Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac, Adigun Saibu, Isa Saliu, Rafiu Ayuba, and an unnamed soldier.
Background on the Oriire Abduction
The incident dates back to May 15, 2026, when gunmen abducted 46 students and staff from two primary schools and one secondary school in Oyo state. The victims included children as young as two years old, with the oldest being 16. One teacher was killed almost immediately after the abduction. The federal government attributed the attack to insurgents, marking a significant expansion of mass school kidnappings into Nigeria's south-west, a region previously spared from such attacks that had devastated communities in the North-East over the previous decade.
Rescue and Presidential Confirmation
Fifty-six days after the kidnapping, President Bola Tinubu announced that all abducted students and teachers had been rescued. In a statement, the president said he was "profoundly happy" with the outcome and disclosed that eight of the attackers had been arrested while an unspecified number were killed during the operation. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed via X that every one of the hostages had been accounted for.
Governor Makinde Honours the Fallen
The Oyo government's memorial post serves as the state's official acknowledgement of the human cost borne by those who risked and lost their lives during the rescue. The Punch reported that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led Oyo government also commiserated with the families of the deceased as part of the tribute.
Details of the Victims
- Michael Oyedokun
- Deacon John Olaleye
- Joel Adesiyan
- Oluwasegun Akanni
- Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac
- Adigun Saibu
- Isa Saliu
- Rafiu Ayuba
- An unnamed soldier
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Umaru Usman, one of the suspects arrested by operatives of the Oyo State Police Command over the abduction of two children in Ebinpejo village via Lanlate, Ibarapa East LGA, claimed that black magic influenced his alleged involvement in the crime. According to the police, the suspects fled after exchanging gunfire with security operatives, with at least one sustaining gunshot wounds. Usman, 25, was subsequently arrested.
