Kidnapped Pupils and Teachers Freed in Oyo State

Security forces freed pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oyo State on 10 July. The release followed weeks of operations involving the Office of the National Security Adviser, the State Security Service, the Nigerian Army, police and other agencies.

Sources told Premium Times that the abductees were freed on Friday evening and that some of the captors were killed during the operation. The victims had been held inside Old Oyo National Park.

Background A total of 46 people, consisting of 39 students and seven teachers, were taken when armed groups raided Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community High School and L.A. Primary School in the Oriire Local Government Area on 15 May. One teacher was later killed in captivity.

The Defence Headquarters identified the abductors as dislodged members of Boko Haram. Officials said the group seized the students to pressure the government into releasing detained commanders.

A presidential spokesperson posted on Facebook that security agencies had rescued the captives and shared photographs of the freed group. In a video, one freed teacher expressed gratitude to security operatives for the rescue. The police commissioner in Oyo State confirmed the release in a telephone interview and said further details would be provided later.

The governor of Oyo State said the incident reflected a shift in security dynamics and announced that six suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack.