Nigeria Rescues Dozens of Abducted Schoolchildren and Teachers in Oyo State

Nigeria Rescues Dozens of Abducted Schoolchildren and Teachers in Oyo State
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Nigerian authorities say security forces have rescued dozens of schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted nearly two months ago in the southwestern state of Oyo.

According to Reuters, at least 39 schoolchildren and six teachers were freed after being kidnapped by gunmen on May 15 in Oyo’s Oriire district. The abductions targeted multiple schools and sparked renewed concern over the safety of educational institutions in Nigeria.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga said eight kidnappers were arrested and are now in custody. Authorities also confirmed that one of the abducted teachers was killed while in captivity.

The Associated Press reported that the government described the abductors as Islamic militants and said an unspecified number of militants were killed during the rescue operation.

President Bola Tinubu welcomed the operation, saying it ended more than 50 days of ordeal for the victims and brought relief to their families.

The incident marked a serious escalation in Nigeria’s security crisis, as large-scale school abductions have more commonly occurred in the country’s northern regions. Security officials say armed groups continue to target students, travelers, and rural communities, often using kidnappings to pressure authorities or seek payments.