Relief and celebration swept through communities in Oyo State as schoolchildren rescued from kidnappers reunited with their families after spending 56 days in captivity.
Emotional scenes unfolded in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawoto communities on Wednesday as the rescued pupils returned to school, bringing an end to weeks of fear and uncertainty that gripped parents, teachers and residents.
Among the relieved parents was Hamzata Wakili, whose 15-year-old son, Bello Hassan, was among those abducted during the attack. Speaking after his son’s return, Wakili expressed gratitude and joy.
“When my son arrived yesterday, I was happy because I’ve been expecting him,” he said.
The students were abducted in May when armed militants attacked their school, seizing more than 40 people, including pupils and teachers. One of the teachers kidnapped during the incident was later killed, deepening the grief within the affected communities.
The Federal Government announced the successful rescue of the victims after a coordinated security operation. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that eight suspected militants were arrested during the operation, although he did not disclose the exact number of students rescued.
President Bola Tinubu praised the security agencies for ending the prolonged ordeal, describing the mission as a major breakthrough.
“This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular,” the President said.
Despite the successful rescue, residents say the psychological impact of the attack remains. Timothy Gbolagade, a teacher in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawoto community, admitted that many are still living with fear but are encouraging one another to remain hopeful as classes gradually resume.
The Oyo school abduction drew national attention because it occurred in Nigeria’s South-West, a region less associated with large-scale school kidnappings than parts of the North. Security experts say the incident highlights the growing spread of kidnapping and armed attacks beyond traditional hotspots, underscoring the need for stronger protection of schools across the country.
