Nigeria’s security agencies have rescued the pupils and teachers kidnapped by terror bandits in Oriire, Oyo State, bringing an end to nearly two months of captivity following a coordinated intelligence-driven operation.
The victims, who were taken hostage on May 15, 2026, regained their freedom after a search-and-rescue mission that ended on July 9.
The operation was masterminded by a Defence Headquarters-led Joint Inter-Agency Task Force acting on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
The task force comprised operatives from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, with operational support from the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Following their rescue, the victims underwent medical examinations and received initial psychosocial care.
They are expected to be handed over to the Oyo State Government before being reunited with their families.
Moreover, the operation has attracted widespread commendation from political leaders, opposition parties and other stakeholders, who commended the security agencies while urging the government to intensify efforts to secure the freedom of other kidnap victims and further strengthen security across the country.
While confirming the development on Friday, the spokesman of president Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers had been apprehended and were currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, while several others were killed during the operation.
He said the rescue was achieved without conceding to the kidnappers’ demand for the release of a detained Boko Haram commander facing terrorism charges.
“In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised.
“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue, as one of the terrorists, a kingpin whose release the kidnappers demanded, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give a full account soon,” Onanuga said.
Meanwhile, president Bola Tinubu described the rescue as a significant achievement and assured that justice would be pursued for both the rescued victims and the family of the slain teacher, Michael Oyedokun.
He also directed relevant emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical treatment and other necessary assistance to the rescued pupils and teachers.
He praised the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force for sustaining the operation for almost two months, which resulted in the arrest of eight suspects and the elimination of other members of the criminal gang.
Tinubu further sympathised with the victims and their families and called on the Oyo State Government to strengthen security around educational institutions.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Ogbomoso, in Oyo State after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists who perpetrated the evil act and led to the arrest of eight of them.
“This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular. On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, whom the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” the President stated
