Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has linked the abduction of pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area to politics, recalling that the attack occurred just hours after he declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde made the remark on Friday while addressing a meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement in Bauchi, shortly before the Presidency announced the rescue of all the kidnapped victims after 56 days in captivity.
“For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o’clock, and by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted,” the governor said.
Hours later, the Presidency confirmed that all the abducted pupils and teachers had regained their freedom through a joint operation involving the Nigerian military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the Presidency, eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are currently in DSS custody, while several others were neutralised during the operation.
The Presidency also stated that the rescue was achieved without any negotiation or exchange, despite the abductors’ demand for the release of one of their detained kingpins, who is currently facing prosecution.
Reacting to the successful operation, Makinde expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the military, the police, the DSS and other security agencies for securing the victims’ release.
He described the rescue as “a big relief” for the families of the victims and the people of Oyo State, saying it brought an end to weeks of anxiety following the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
President Tinubu also commended the security agencies for rescuing the victims without collateral damage and directed emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and other support for the rescued pupils and teachers.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were kidnapped during the attack. Two teachers lost their lives during the ordeal, with one killed while attempting to escape and another reportedly beheaded in captivity.
The abduction triggered nationwide concern, prompted weeks of security operations and led to a month-long strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State before the victims were eventually rescued.
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