Oyo School Abduction: DSS Arrests Eight Suspected Kidnappers, Rescues 46 Pupils, Teachers
The Federal Government has announced the successful rescue of all the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, following a coordinated security operation that resulted in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and the elimination of several others.
The disclosure was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed in a post on his verified X account that the victims had regained their freedom after weeks in captivity.
Providing further details, Onanuga revealed that eight members of the kidnapping syndicate were apprehended during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while other members of the gang were neutralised by security operatives.
He stressed that the government did not negotiate or make any concessions to secure the release of the victims. According to him, the kidnappers’ demands—including the release of a notorious terrorist leader—were firmly rejected.
“The terrorist kingpin whose release was demanded by the abductors remains in custody and is facing prosecution for his crimes,” Onanuga stated, adding that security agencies would provide a comprehensive briefing on the operation in due course.
The rescued victims comprised 39 pupils and seven teachers who were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, as well as two other schools in Esinle, both located in Oriire Local Government Area.
The abductors had earlier issued a list of demands, including the release of detained Ansaru commanders, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of certain Sharia-related conditions before freeing the victims.
Security sources had previously indicated that a major intelligence breakthrough by the DSS enabled operatives to identify key figures within the kidnapping network and track their collaborators across different parts of the country. The development reportedly intensified pressure on the gang and significantly weakened its operations.
Before the rescue, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, had assured Nigerians that military personnel were making significant progress in efforts to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.