The pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after spending nearly two months in captivity.

The development was announced on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who disclosed the successful rescue operation through a post on his verified X account.

According to Onanuga, the victims were rescued through the efforts of Nigerian security agencies without any concession being granted to their captors.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo, have been rescued by our security agencies,” he stated.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed attackers invaded three schools—Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School—in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Orire Local Government Area. During the coordinated attacks, no fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were taken away by the assailants.

The incident turned tragic when a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was reportedly shot dead while attempting to escape. Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later murdered by the kidnappers while in captivity, deepening public outrage and concern across the state.

Reports indicated that the abductors had demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, the provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related laws as conditions for the victims’ release. However, the Oyo State Government repeatedly insisted that it would not negotiate with or pay ransom to criminal groups.

The prolonged captivity of the pupils and teachers sparked widespread anxiety among residents, parents, and education stakeholders. The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on a month-long strike to pressure authorities into intensifying rescue efforts before eventually suspending the industrial action in July.

The abduction also attracted national attention, prompting sustained intervention from federal security agencies. Military and police authorities had repeatedly assured Nigerians that coordinated operations were underway to secure the safe return of the victims.

The successful rescue has been welcomed by many Nigerians as a significant victory against kidnapping and insecurity, while renewed calls are being made for stronger security measures around schools and vulnerable communities to prevent similar incidents in the future.