Video: Kidnapped Oyo pupils, teachers regain freedom, appreciate Tinubu
Abdullateef Fowewe
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu, has confirmed that Nigerian security agencies have rescued all pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote on social media, announcing the outcome of operations that followed the May 15 attack.
A 38‑second video shared alongside the announcement shows a female teacher surrounded by a group of schoolchildren outdoors near a vehicle.
In the clip she thanks President Tinubu and the security services for their release, while children and adults wave, clap and eat snacks in a visibly relieved, post‑rescue scene.
Four accompanying photos show a larger group gathered in a forested area appearing jubilant and relieved.
On May 15 gunmen raided three schools in Oriire, Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community Grammar School (Esiele) and L.A. Primary School (Ahoro‑Esinele) abducting 39 pupils, aged roughly 2–16, and seven teachers, Dailyeconomy.
One teacher was killed in captivity.
The hostages were held for nearly two months amid repeated threats from their captors, prompting sustained military and police operations in the Old Oyo National Park area.
The rescues come amid nationwide scrutiny over repeated school kidnappings that have drawn condemnation from parents and rights groups.
