The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday announced that all the pupils and teachers kidnapped in Oriire, Oyo State, had been rescued by security agencies, ending a 56-day ordeal that gripped the nation.
Onanuga
disclosed this in a post on his X handle, saying, “Finally, all the kidnapped
pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies.”
He
later revealed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the
operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services,
while several others were neutralised.
He
also dismissed reports that the victims were freed through a prisoner exchange,
stating that there was “no quid pro quo” because one of the terrorist kingpins
whose release had been demanded by the kidnappers remains on trial for alleged
terrorism-related offences.
The
announcement caps months of denials, protests and false alarms since gunmen
stormed three schools in the area on May 15, abducting 46 pupils, students and
teachers.
May 15: The attack
Armed
men numbering in the dozens, some dressed in military fatigues and riding
motorcycles, stormed three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities
of Oriire Local Government Area, near Ogbomoso — Community Grammar School,
Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
They
opened fire before seizing pupils, students and teachers, including a toddler
aged two. At least one person was killed during the raid.
Governor
Seyi Makinde later confirmed that seven students were abducted from Community
Grammar School, while 18 children and seven teachers were taken from Baptist
Nursery and Primary.
In
total, 39 pupils and seven teachers — 46 victims — were confirmed abducted,
including the school principal, Folawe Alamu.
President
Bola Tinubu condemned the attack as barbaric and vowed a rescue operation, with
the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, dispatching more detectives to Oyo
State to lead a technology-driven operation.
Late May: The beheading of Michael
Oyedokun
Mathematics
teacher Michael Oyedokun was beheaded by his captors in a video that sparked
nationwide condemnation and hardened public anger toward the government’s
handling of the crisis. The killing was reportedly intended to deter security
operatives closing in on the kidnappers’ camp.
May 31: Federal delegation, forest
guards, negotiations begin
Chief
of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila led a federal delegation — including National
Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, IGP Tunji Disu, Chief of Defence Staff
Christopher Musa and presidential aide Sunday Dare — to the affected
communities.
Tinubu
approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State and directed a
specialised rescue unit to intensify operations.
Around
this time, reports emerged that the kidnappers had opened communication
channels with the state government, demanding the release of two detained Boko
Haram/Ansaru commanders, Mahmud Usman (“Abu Bara’a”) and his deputy Abubakar
Abba, as a condition for freeing the victims.
June 1: NUT declares indefinite strike
The
Nigeria Union of Teachers ordered all public primary and secondary school
teachers in Oyo State to withdraw services indefinitely, demanding the
government secure the victims’ release before schools reopened. Solidarity
rallies followed across state capitals on June 2.
Early-mid June: Fake “release” claims
proliferate
At
least three separate waves of misinformation falsely claimed the victims had
been freed.. Oyo Police and the state government repeatedly and firmly debunked
each claim, while fact-checkers (Africa Check) intervened publicly.
Late June: Ransom allegations,
pressure campaigns
Social
media activist VeryDarkMan (Martins Otse) led protests to the Oyo governor’s
office. The Oyo government, through Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade,
repeatedly denied any ransom payment. Civil society groups, including Socialist
Labour, accused the government of complacency and demanded accountability.
July 2: NUT suspends strike
After
roughly a month of industrial action, the NUT called off its strike, citing
government assurances that efforts to secure the victims’ release were
intensifying, and citing concern for pupils’ lost academic time.
July 8-9: Defence minister confirms
standoff over use of force
Defence
Minister Christopher Musa disclosed that the kidnappers had threatened to kill
the captives if security forces attempted a forceful rescue, explaining the
extended timeline and the shift toward a negotiated approach. Army Chief Waidi
Shaibu said troops were making “tremendous progress” and had identified
associates of the kidnappers.
July 10: Freedom, at last
Onanuga
announced that all the kidnapped pupils and teachers had been rescued by
security agencies, bringing the 56-day ordeal to an end.
He
disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation
and are currently in DSS custody, while some others were neutralised.
While
the victims’ rescue brings an end to the 56-day ordeal, security agencies are
expected to provide a comprehensive account of the operation, including details
of the arrests and the circumstances surrounding the rescue.
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