Nigeria’s Army Recovers 44 School Pupils and Teachers After Oyo Abduction

Thu Oct 08 2026 23:34:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Nigerian military freed all 44 abducted children and teachers from Oyo state schools, but casualties were reported during the rescue operation.

The Nigerian army liberated 44 pupils and teachers from three Oyo state schools that were taken hostage on 15 May. The operation, involving soldiers, police, intelligence and local vigilantes, cost several soldiers the lives they said during the raid. Families are now receiving medical care, but many are still awaiting reunification. The incident has reignited concerns over school security and the effectiveness of the Safe School Initiative, prompting calls for deeper investigation into funding and implementation. Authorities claim further operations are planned to dismantle the kidnapping networks.

Nigeria’s Army Recovers 44 School Pupils and Teachers After Oyo Abduction

On 15 May, gunmen seized 44 pupils and teachers from three schools in Oyo state – Baptist Nursery and Primary School, L.A. Primary School and Community Grammar School – sending shock waves across Nigeria’s south‑west region. In a week‑long counter‑attack, the Nigerian military freed all 44 captives, while also arresting several members of the abduction ring.

Army spokesman Danjuma Jonah Danjuma announced the rescue operation, noting that the military suffered casualties: “Several soldiers died during the rescue mission,” he said. The operation was a joint effort involving troops, police, intelligence agencies and local vigilantes. Suspected hideouts, including one in the Old Oyo National Park forest, were dismantled as part of the mission.

The freed captives are now in medical care at a temporary, undisclosed facility, and are expected to return home after their recovery. Families, however, remain in distress, still waiting to be reunited with their loved ones. Prof. Wole Alamu, a headteacher at Community Grammar School, expressed gratitude: “We are happy that they are out, and we thank God that it ended well.”

Local teacher union leader Hassan Ajibola praised the operation but urged authorities to fully implement the Safe School Initiative – a program established over a decade ago in response to the infamous Chibok kidnapping. He highlighted the need for security personnel, CCTV, perimeter fencing and community vigilante groups at schools.

The Oyo abductions have intensified calls from lawmakers and civil‑rights groups for an investigation into how disbursements to the Safe School Initiative have been managed and whether they reach the intended beneficiaries. Scholars argue that the threat of kidnappers has become a major security concern as Nigeria approaches its upcoming general election.

While the army has announced further operations, it remains unclear how many suspects still remain at large. Militias and armed groups have exploited the dense forested areas in and around Old Oyo National Park as sanctuaries for illicit activity, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive regional security measures.

Additional reporting by Natasha Booty and Abayomi Adisa