All Abducted Oyo Teachers and Pupils Regain Freedom
The Nigerian Presidency has confirmed the successful rescue of all teachers and pupils abducted during the May 15, 2026 attack on schools in Oyo State.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga announced the development on Friday through his official X account, stating that security agencies carried out the operation that secured the victims’ safe release.
The incident occurred on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed men riding motorcycles and dressed in military-style uniforms invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State: Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele.
The attackers reportedly fired gunshots to create panic before abducting dozens of pupils, including children as young as two years old, along with at least seven teachers, in a broad daylight operation.
The victims were taken into the forests surrounding Old Oyo National Park, an area increasingly associated with the activities of armed criminal groups. The attack sparked widespread fear across the affected communities, forcing many residents to flee while schools were shut indefinitely.
Following the abduction, worried parents refused to return their children to school, citing security concerns. The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) also declared an indefinite strike across Oyo State, calling on the government to strengthen security measures and ensure the safety of both pupils and educators.
