Newsbreak: Abducted Oyo pupils, Teachers regain freedom
By Kareem Adebanjo, Oyo
The schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are now free.
Sources told Irohinoodua that the lean, emaciated children, students and teachers reunited with their loved ones in tears today as Government and security operatives watched on.
Though now free, the scar of terror, repression, fear and trembling is expected to accompany the captives for the rest of their lives.
Thousands of Nigerians are kidnapped by armed non state actors every day.
The released Oyo students and teachers were kidnapped on May 15 at Isiele Community School, Oyo State leaving their bags and school pen in their classrooms.
They had only one peer of school uniforms. Some were marched through the thick forest barefooted by AK 47 wielding terrorists.
Reports said the kidnappers were Jihadists who have been operating in North West and North East of Nigeria for more than one decade.
According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, the victims were freed through the efforts of security agencies.
“Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been freed by their abductors,” he wrote.
The victims were kidnapped when heavily armed gunmen invaded the community, abducting 46 pupils, teachers, and the principal of a secondary school, triggering nationwide concern
As of the time of this report, details surrounding their release, including whether any ransom was paid or the circumstances leading to their freedom, had yet to be disclosed.
Every month, experts say more than 7,500 Nigerians are abducted across 1,000 incidents running into millions if victims in one year.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), suggested that about to 2.2 million abductions have taken place in Nigeria. Between April 2024 and May 2025, victims paid some N2.2trillion as ransom to terrorists. These funds largely go into the procurement of more arms by the terrorists.
A United States security agency said some 30,000 Fulani armed men operate in Nigeria
