JUST IN: Tinubu confirms rescue of Oyo schoolchildren, teachers after 56 days in captivity

Crime Diary, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Tinubu has confirmed the successful rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted during a terrorist attack on schools in Oyo State, bringing an end to their 56-day captivity.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when suspected Ansaru terrorists raided three schools in Oriire Community, Oriire Local Government Area, near Ogbomoso in Oyo State.

Announcing the development on Friday, the President said all the abductees were rescued alive and unharmed during a coordinated military, police and intelligence-led operation without the payment of ransom or any concession to the terrorists.

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“Tonight, our nation has reason to give thanks,” Tinubu said.

“The children and teachers abducted by Ansaru terrorists in Oyo State have been rescued by our security forces, alive and unharmed. No ransom was paid. No concession was made.”

Earlier, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed profound joy over the successful rescue and praised the security agencies for their professionalism and determination throughout the operation.

According to the statement, the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police worked round the clock for 56 days to secure the release of the victims without collateral damage.

The operation also resulted in the arrest of eight suspected abductors, while several others were neutralised during the rescue mission.

President Tinubu expressed regret over the trauma endured by the pupils, teachers, their families and the nation since the abduction.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Ogbomoso, in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and the arrest of eight of them,” he said.

The President described the rescue as a significant breakthrough in the fight against terrorism and commended the officers and personnel of the armed forces, intelligence agencies and the police for bringing the prolonged ordeal to a successful conclusion.

He also vowed that those responsible for the abduction and the killing of Mr Oyedokun during the attack would be brought to justice.

“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” Tinubu said.

The President commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation throughout the rescue efforts and urged the state authorities to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar attacks.

In addition, Tinubu directed emergency management agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide immediate medical care, trauma counselling and other relief support for the rescued children and their teachers.

The successful operation ends more than seven weeks of uncertainty over the fate of the victims and is expected to bring relief to their families and communities, while reinforcing ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and kidnapping across the country.