Oriire Rescue: President Bola Tinubu has praised security agencies following the successful Oriire rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.
President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound joy over the successful rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, following a 56-day intelligence-driven operation by Nigerian security forces.
The victims, who were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, regained their freedom on Friday after an operation involving the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force. The rescue brings an end to one of Nigeria’s most closely followed school abduction incidents in recent months.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu commended the gallantry and resilience of the security agencies, noting that they worked tirelessly over the last 56 days to rescue the children and their teachers without any collateral damage. The President disclosed that eight suspected abductors were arrested, while several others were neutralised during the operation.
Photo 2: Nigerian Army in combat mood.
“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,” the President said.
Describing the rescue as a major relief for the nation, Tinubu said the operation had ended more than 50 days of anguish for the victims, their families and Nigerians at large. He expressed appreciation to the armed forces, intelligence agencies and the police for their professionalism and dedication in ensuring the safe return of the captives.
The President also pledged that justice would be served on the perpetrators of the dastardly act by the Nigerian government, vowing that those responsible for the abduction and the killing of Mr. Oyedokun during the incident would face the full weight of the law.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr. Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” he assured.
President Tinubu further commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation throughout the rescue efforts and urged the state authorities to strengthen security around schools to prevent future attacks. He also directed relevant emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide the rescued children and teachers with immediate medical care, psychosocial support and other necessary relief assistance.
Photo 4: School children delighted on the news of the rescue of the abducted schoolchildren.
The abduction had sparked widespread concern across the country, prompting protests and industrial action by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State, which demanded intensified efforts to secure the victims’ release. The successful rescue is expected to bring relief to the affected families and renew confidence in ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity and protect schools across Nigeria. Oriire Rescue
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Oriire Rescue
