The Presidency has revealed fresh details surrounding the rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, announcing that eight suspected kidnappers have been arrested while several others were neutralised during coordinated security operations.
In an update issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the operation was carried out by security agencies after weeks of intelligence-driven efforts.
According to the statement, the eight arrested suspects are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some members of the kidnapping gang were neutralised during the rescue mission.
The Presidency also dismissed claims that the victims regained their freedom through a prisoner swap or any other concession to the abductors.
It stated that there was no quid pro quo in the rescue operation, explaining that one of the terrorist kingpins whose release had reportedly been demanded by the kidnappers remains in government custody and is being prosecuted for alleged acts of terrorism and other crimes.
The statement added that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the rescue operation and the circumstances that led to the arrest of the suspects and the successful recovery of the victims.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele and neighbouring communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The attackers kidnapped dozens of pupils, students and teachers, while at least one teacher was killed during the attack and another reportedly died while in captivity, leaving families and communities devastated.
The incident triggered nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the growing spread of mass school kidnappings into Nigeria’s South-West.
It also intensified calls for stronger security measures, including the establishment of state police, better protection for schools and increased surveillance of forests used by criminal gangs.
During the victims’ captivity, the Federal Government deployed senior security officials to coordinate rescue efforts, while President Bola Tinubu approved additional security measures, including the recruitment of forest guards and the deployment of specialised rescue teams to Oyo State.
The prolonged abduction generated intense political debate across the country, with criticism directed at both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government over the pace of rescue efforts.
The crisis also fuelled partisan commentary, with some political actors alleging poor cooperation between the APC led Federal Government and the PDP administration of Governor Seyi Makinde because of political differences.
However, the Presidency maintained that security agencies worked in collaboration with the Oyo State Government throughout the operation.
President Tinubu had also assured Governor Seyi Makinde, the victims’ families and residents that every available resource would be deployed to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
With the victims now rescued and eight suspected kidnappers in DSS custody, attention is expected to shift to the prosecution of those arrested and the implementation of stronger security measures to prevent similar attacks on schools and communities across the country.
