Oriire School Pupils’ Rescue Proves Tinubu’s Security Commitment – Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as evidence of the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to tackling insecurity.

Sanwo-Olu said the victims’ freedom after more than 50 days in captivity brought considerable relief to their families, the people of Oyo State and Nigerians across the country.

Naija News reports that the governor stated this in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, following the announcement of the rescue on Friday.

The victims were among the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted when armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026.

Reports on the rescue said at least 39 schoolchildren and six teachers were brought to safety following an operation involving security and intelligence agencies.

Reacting to the development, Sanwo-Olu said the successful operation demonstrated that the Federal Government was making progress in its campaign against terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of violent crime.

“The rescue is a big relief and shows the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to the war against insecurity,” the governor said.

“I commend the tireless efforts and resilience of our gallant security operatives who made this possible. I equally rejoice with the people of Oyo State, particularly the residents of Ogbomoso, on this great news.”

Sanwo-Olu praised the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and other agencies involved in the operation.

He said the coordination among the security services was crucial to ending the victims’ prolonged ordeal.

The governor also sympathised with his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, as well as the families and communities affected by the abduction.

According to him, the rescue restored hope not only to the victims’ relatives but also to residents of the South-West and other Nigerians who had followed the case with concern.

The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

The affected institutions were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community Grammar School and LA Primary School.

Reports indicated that 46 people, comprising 39 pupils and seven teachers, were initially declared missing following the coordinated attacks.

The assailants were suspected of having links to Ansaru, a militant group operating in parts of the country.

One teacher, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was reported killed during the attack, while another educator was reportedly killed while the victims were in captivity.

The incident heightened fears over the spread of school kidnappings to the southern part of Nigeria, as most previous mass abductions of pupils had occurred in the northern states.

Naija News reports that the prolonged captivity of the victims sparked protests by teachers, students, residents and civil society organisations in Ogbomoso.

Public school teachers in Oyo State also embarked on an indefinite strike to demand stronger action from the government and security agencies to rescue their abducted colleagues and pupils.

Parents and relatives of the victims repeatedly appealed to the Federal and state governments to intensify the search, as concern grew over the health and safety of the captives.

The abduction also disrupted academic activities and generated renewed calls for improved security around schools, particularly those located in rural communities close to forests.