Relief and celebration swept across Oyo State on Friday as all the pupils and teachers abducted during the deadly attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area finally regained their freedom after spending nearly two months in captivity.

The breakthrough was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that Nigerian security agencies successfully rescued the victims without yielding to the kidnappers' demands.

In a post on his verified X account, Onanuga declared, "Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies."

He further disclosed that no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the release of the victims, despite reports that the abductors had demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related law before freeing the captives.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed attackers stormed three schools—Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School—in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

The brazen assault saw 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, whisked away into the forest, throwing families, residents and the entire state into weeks of fear and uncertainty.

The tragedy became even more heartbreaking after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded while in the terrorists' camp, a development that sparked nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity in schools.

Throughout the crisis, the Oyo State Government insisted it would not negotiate with the kidnappers or pay ransom, maintaining that security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the victims' safe return.

The abduction also paralysed academic activities across parts of the state, as the Nigeria Union of Teachers embarked on a month-long strike to demand urgent action before eventually suspending the industrial action in July.

The successful rescue marks the end of one of Oyo State's most traumatic school kidnapping incidents in recent years and is expected to bring comfort to the affected families and communities after weeks of anguish and uncertainty.

While the nation celebrates the safe return of the captives, attention is now expected to shift to the rehabilitation of the rescued victims and intensified efforts to prevent future attacks on schools across the country.