Oyo Rescue Operation: Eight Kidnappers Apprehended by DSS

​The 56-day nightmare for families in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has finally come to an end, with the Federal Government confirming the successful rescue of all abducted pupils and teachers on Friday, July 10, 2026.

​The rescue concludes one of the most distressing security incidents in recent Nigerian history. The victims, comprising 39 pupils and seven teachers, were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men in military-style uniforms simultaneously raided the Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, as well as the Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Esiele community.

​A Coordinated Success

​The announcement was made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that security agencies successfully liberated the captives during a coordinated operation.

​”Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga announced on X.

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​Providing further details on the operation, the Presidency disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were apprehended and are currently being held by the Department of State Services (DSS), while several other members of the criminal gang were neutralized during the rescue mission.

​Defiance Against Ransom and Prisoner Swaps

​Addressing widespread speculation that the government had negotiated for the victims’ release, the Presidency categorically denied any “quid pro quo.” During the period of captivity, reports suggested that the kidnappers had demanded the release of high-profile terrorist commanders—specifically mentioning individuals like Mahmud Usman and his deputy—as a condition for the victims’ freedom.

​The government stood firm, insisting that no concessions were made. Onanuga emphasized that the terrorist kingpin whose release was demanded remains in custody and is currently undergoing prosecution for various terrorism-related offences.

​A “Big Relief” for Oyo State

​Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, expressed profound relief at the news, describing the rescue as a triumph of resilience. In a statement, he thanked the President, the military, the police, and the DSS for their dedication and for “pushing really hard” to ensure the safe return of the citizens.

​The state’s Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, further reiterated the administration’s policy of refusing to pay ransoms, noting that the government’s approach was designed to avoid emboldening criminal networks.

​Background to the Crisis

​The abduction, which occurred on May 15, left the nation in shock. The attack tragically resulted in the death of a teacher during the initial raid, and the subsequent beheading of another educator, Michael Oyedokun, while in captivity.

​For 56 days, the victims were reportedly held within the dense forest corridors of the Old Oyo National Park, a terrain that posed significant challenges to security forces. Throughout the ordeal, the incident sparked nationwide protests, including an indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and led to intensified security deployments across the region.

​As the families celebrate the return of their loved ones, security agencies have promised that a comprehensive account of the rescue operation and the ongoing prosecution of the captured suspects will be provided in due course.