Relief: Oyo governor hails coordinated military, DSS and police operation that freed all 44 abductees after 56 days in captivity
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his role in securing the release of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on 15 May 2026.
Speaking during a telephone interview with Channels Television shortly after the rescue on Friday, Makinde described the development as a significant relief for the state.
“It is such a big relief for all of us. Just right now, I am overjoyed and can hardly say much,” the governor stated.
Makinde commended all security agencies involved in the month-long coordinated operation that resulted in the victims’ unconditional release.
“I use this opportunity to say a big thank you to all the service commands, the police, DSS, military and, of course, the president for pushing for their release,” he said.
The governor’s expression of relief marked a turning point following weeks of tension, school closures and nationwide anxiety over the fate of the abductees.
The victims had spent 56 days in captivity following their abduction by armed gunmen who attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School in Ogbomoso, all within Oriire LGA.
State response and public pressure
The abduction prompted the Oyo State Government to shut schools in four local government areas as security agencies intensified rescue efforts.
The incident sparked widespread protests across the country demanding the swift rescue of the abductees. On 18 May, just three days after the abduction, Makinde disclosed that one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, had been killed whilst in captivity.
The incident had tested the state government’s capacity to manage security crises whilst maintaining public confidence in its ability to protect residents and schoolchildren.
Presidential response and commitment to justice
President Tinubu welcomed the rescue, commending the military, DSS and police for their efforts. The President stated that the operation had ended more than 50 days of uncertainty for the victims and their families, praising security agencies for securing their release without collateral damage.
Tinubu commended the Oyo State Government for working closely with the federal government throughout the rescue operation. He directed emergency agencies to collaborate with the state government in providing comprehensive medical care and other relief support for the rescued pupils and teachers.
The President vowed that his administration would ensure justice for the victims and for the family of Oyedokun, who was killed during the abduction. This commitment signals the government’s intention to pursue accountability against those responsible for the abduction and the teacher’s death.
Multi-level coordination
The successful rescue represented coordinated action across federal and state levels. The federal government dispatched a high-powered delegation including the National Security Adviser, whilst the military, DSS and police executed the month-long intelligence-driven operation. The Oyo State Government provided crucial local support and coordination throughout the crisis.
The relief expressed by Governor Makinde reflects the broader national sentiment following the rescue, marking the conclusion of a chapter that tested Nigeria’s security response and highlighted the vulnerability of educational institutions to terrorist attacks.
