The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed utmost joy over the successful rescue of school children and teachers abducted from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
According to a press statement signed on Friday 10, July 2026 by Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, the President declared that the 56-day military, police and intelligence operation has brought relief to the. nation.
He commended the gallantry of Nigeria’s security forces for working assiduously in securing the release of the victims “without any collateral damage” and for arresting eight of the abductors while neutralizing others..
President Tinubu said the rescue was the result of a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation involving the military, the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Police Force. He stressed that he regretted the ordeal that the pupils, their teachers, family members and the entire nation experienced since the occurrence of the kidnapping.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and the arrest of eight of them,” the President stated.
It was further stated that the President described the operation as one that “has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular.”
Tinubu Vows Justice for Oriire Victims, Commends Oyo Government
The President expressed gratitude to the officers and men of the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, and the police “for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers.”
He also condoled with the family of Mr. Oyedokun, who was reportedly killed by the terrorists during the attack.
He assured saying “My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,”
President Tinubu further praised the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts.
“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” he stated.
He charged the state government with the responsibility to “ensure adequate security around schools across the state” to prevent a recurrence.
In addition, President Tinubu directed emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide “all necessary medical and relief support” to the rescued children and teachers.
The statement further confirmed that the operation led to the arrest of eight suspects linked to the abduction, while several others were neutralized during the raid. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full network behind the attack.
The rescue brings to the fore the ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat kidnapping and banditry targeting schools and communities in Nigeria
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting schools and citizens, and to ensuring that perpetrators of such crimes face the full weight of the law.
The rescue of the Oriire victims marks one of the longest school-related abduction standoffs resolved in 2026 and is expected to boost public confidence in ongoing security operations across the South-West.
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