UPDATED: Kidnapped Oyo Pupils, Teachers Regain Freedom

More than 50 days after they were abducted, the kidnapped teachers, pupils and students from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom.

The announcement was made on Friday evening by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, through a series of posts on his verified X account.

Onanuga confirmed that the successful rescue of all the pupils and teachers abducted in Orire, Oyo State, was due to the coordinated security operations.

According to Onanuga, the rescue operation led to the safe release of all the victims. He added that security operatives arrested eight suspected kidnappers, who are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while several others were neutralised during the operation.

He also dismissed reports claiming the victims were freed through negotiations or a prisoner exchange, insisting that the rescue was achieved solely through sustained security efforts, which also thwarted the kidnappers’ attempt to secure the release of one of their detained leaders.