Rescued Oyo pupils and teachers reunite with families

Parents and relatives on Tuesday reunited with some of the 44 pupils and teachers recently rescued from kidnappers in Oyo State. The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when terrorists attacked three schools, which included Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Esiele, and LA Primary School, all located in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. They were rescued last Friday, 56 days after their abduction, and were subsequently handed over to Governor Seyi Makinde in Ibadan on Monday by the Nigerian Army. Two teachers were killed during their period in captivity.

The victims were later taken to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso for further medical attention. On Tuesday, parents and relatives of the victims thronged the medical facility to reunite with their loved ones. It was gathered that the victims were admitted to the intensive care unit for comprehensive medical examinations and psychological care following their release. Family members remained at the facility as healthcare professionals completed the necessary assessments before handing the children and teachers over to their families.

Emotions ran high as some of the relatives were allowed into the facility to identify their loved ones. A woman identified as the mother of Testimony, one of the youngest children among the victims, became emotional when she reunited with her daughter. She expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and everyone involved in securing the release of the abducted school children. She stated, "Merciful God, I thank You. I never imagined that my daughter, Testimony, would return to me safe and fill my heart with joy. Who am I that You should love me so much? I also thank President Bola Tinubu, Governor Makinde, and the security agents. May God Almighty bless you all."

Meanwhile, the Chief Medical Director of the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Professor Olawale Olakulehin, confirmed that 31 of the victims have been discharged. He said they have been certified medically fit and reunited with their families. The Chief Medical Director disclosed that the hospital admitted 39 rescued children following their release from captivity, but eight will remain under medical observation and treatment as part of efforts to ensure their full recovery. He revealed that one of the children was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect during a comprehensive medical evaluation conducted by specialists at the hospital. According to him, the child’s parents were unaware of the condition before the medical examination.

Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday asked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to withdraw his call for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction and rescue of the pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele and 108 senators, commending President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces and other security agencies for rescuing the victims after 56 days in captivity. During the debate, Senator Adams Oshiomhole described Makinde’s demand for a United Nations probe as "not statesmanly" and urged him to stop "trivialising" the rescue operation. His prayer was adopted by the Senate after a voice vote.

On Monday, Makinde had called on the United Nations and international human rights organisations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the May 15 abduction and subsequent rescue of the victims, saying the move would strengthen public confidence and ensure accountability. Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, whose district includes the affected area, thanked the Federal Government and the military for securing the victims’ release. Senators Adamu Aliero and Tahir Monguno urged the military to intensify efforts to rescue other school children still in captivity, especially in Borno State.

The Senate also paid tribute to security personnel killed during the rescue operation, observed a minute’s silence in their honour, and called for prompt payment of benefits to their families. It listed the officers who paid the supreme price as Lieutenant F. A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force. The Senate also noted that Lance Corporal Adamu Hussain of the 81 Battalion of the Nigerian Army sustained injuries in the course of the operation.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government accused Makinde of politicising the incident. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the priority of the Tinubu administration was securing the victims’ release, not making phone calls. Akume remarked, "When people complained that the President did not make a phone call, would that have freed the victims? What mattered was the strategy that ensured their safe rescue," He made the remarks while receiving members of the Global Association of Christian and Muslim Youth for Peace and Development in Abuja, adding that the administration remained committed to intelligence-driven security operations to tackle terrorism and kidnapping.