Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, don express joy for di rescue of pupils and teachers wey dem bin abduct for Oriire Local Government Area. Di governor tok say di return of di victims na moment of gratitude and relief for di state.
Governor Makinde speak afta e visit di rescued victims for Headquarters of 2 Division Nigerian Army Medical Services, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, where di pupils and teachers dey receive medical attention afta dem release dem from captivity.
Di governor disclose say all 39 pupils and five of di seven abducted teachers dem don rescue and reunite with security personnel. E give glory to God and commend officers and men of Nigerian Army and oda security agencies for dia efforts to secure di victims freedom.
Makinde note say di rescue operation come with sacrifices, as some security operatives lose dia lives during di operation. E extend condolences to di bereaved families and assure dem say dia loved ones sacrifices no go be in vain.
Speaking on di condition of di rescued victims, di governor say di pupils and teachers dey happy to regain dia freedom, but note say some of dem appear physically weak and go need medical care and psychosocial support to overcome post-traumatic experiences from dia prolonged captivity.
According to am, di rescued victims go remain under medical observation for di next 48 hours, afta which dem go conduct assessment before dia formal transfer from military authorities to Oyo State Government for further management and rehabilitation.
Governor Makinde also disclose say dem dey make arrangements to bring family members to di barracks to see dia loved ones, particularly noting di case of a young girl wey don repeatedly ask for her mama since she regain freedom.
E urge Nigerians to remain united in face of security challenges, stressing say difficult periods should serve as moments for collective action rather than division.
Di governor add say e go officially brief di people of Oyo State and Nigerians for di coming week on di circumstances surrounding di abduction and di efforts wey culminate for di successful rescue of di victims.
Di children and teachers dem bin abduct on May 15, 2026, by terrorists and spend 57 days for captivity. On Friday, di presidency announce di rescue of di victims, with President Bola Tinubu aide, Bayo Onanuga, revealing say eight members of di kidnapping gang dem arrest during di rescue operation and dem dey now for custody of DSS.
E say di rescue operation no involve any exchange or concession to di kidnapper. According to am, a notorious gang leader wey dem bin demand release remains for custody and dey prosecute for im alleged crimes.
For statement on Friday night, President Tinubu express delight over di successful rescue of abducted children and teachers, commending di military, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Police Force for ending dia 56-day captivity. E also sympathise with di children, teachers and dia families over di trauma wey dem endure during di prolonged ordeal.
Di President further commend Oyo State Government for its cooperation with Federal Government throughout di rescue operation and urge di state to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents. Tinubu also direct emergency response agencies to work with Oyo State Government to provide di rescued children and teachers with all necessary medical care and relief support as dem recover from di ordeal.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar, di presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress, don tell di presidency to read before attacking, describing its claim say e remain silent following di rescue of di abducted schoolchildren and teachers for Oyo State as a reckless distortion of facts wey collapse under weight of documentary evidence.
For statement wey im senior special assistant on public communication, Phrank Shaibu, issue on Saturday, Atiku say there be only two possible explanations for di presidency latest outburst. E say e astonishing say a presidency with limitless public resources fit accuse someone of silence without carrying out di most basic verification.
Di reaction follow criticism from Special Adviser to di President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, wey bin fault Atiku for not publicly reacting to di release of di Oriire pupils and dia teachers nearly 18 hours afta dem regain dia freedom.
Atiku say contrary to di false narrative wey dem dey peddle, e don issue a comprehensive press statement earlier for di day titled ‘A Nation at War Needs a Commander-in-Chief, Not a Campaigner-in-Chief’, where e welcome di rescue of di children, commend di gallantry of di Armed Forces and oda security agencies, and call for sustained efforts to rescue every Nigerian still for captivity.
Di former vice president also stress say di successful rescue of di Oyo schoolchildren should not distract di nation from di painful reality say many oda Nigerians, including abducted schoolchildren and innocent citizens for Borno and several oda parts of di country, remain for captivity.
Atiku say di reproduced excerpts expose di presidency allegation as entirely false. E add say no amount of propaganda fit erase di fundamental questions wey e raise for im earlier statement.
