Barely two months after their abduction by gunmen, schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped from Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been rescued and will be reunited with their families.
The victims were said to have been rescued by a joint security team, after combing the large forest behind the local government area linking several states from Oyo, to ensure the victims return home.
It was learnt that the victims were rescued on Friday inside the forest where they were held by their abductors after the Orire school attack on May 15th, 2026.
Security sourcs told The Guild that the gunmen surrendered after realizing that the rescue team had more sophisticated arms than them.
In a video seen by The Guild correspondent after their rescue by the security agencies, the schoolchildren were seen famished, rushing to eat the cooking provided by the security agencies inside fhe forest, an indication that they were not well fed by their abductors.
The development was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who described the rescue as the result of the Bola Tinubu administration’s commitment to the security of lives and property across the country.
In a statement released through his official social.media handle, he said: “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies”.
Also, the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, disclosed that the teachers and the schoolchildren would be rehabilitated before they are reunited with their families.
Meanwhile, the governor commiserated with family of the deceased teachers and residents, appealing to their families to take solace in the victims’ dedication to community and edication development in the state.
He said; “Really grateful for the safe return of the children and teachers abducted from Oriire LGA 56 days ago.
“Our priority now is to ensure they are reunited with their families and support their rehabilitation after this traumatic experience.
“We also commend the security agencies that took part in the rescue operations for their sacrifices. May the souls of those who paid the ultimate price rest in peace and may God comfort their families”.
Speaking on behalf of the victims, the Head teacher of the school commended President Bola Tinubu for his doggedness and decision not to succumb to the abductors threat.
She added that efforts of the President and fhe security agencies were responsible for the schoolchildren and teachers’ rescue from the gunmen who held them against their will.