Oyo State, Nigeria (Running Africa) — Nigerian security forces have rescued 44 pupils and teachers who were abducted from three schools in Oyo State nearly two months ago, bringing an end to a prolonged ordeal that reignited concerns over school safety and mass kidnappings in the country.
Families, educators and local communities expressed relief after the successful operation, which followed weeks of coordinated efforts by the military, police, intelligence agencies and local vigilante groups.
The victims were kidnapped by armed men on 15 May during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, LA Primary School, and Community Grammar School in the Osiire district.
According to the military, the hostages were freed after a month-long operation that also led to the arrest of several suspects believed to be linked to the kidnapping network.
Security forces said they dismantled the gang’s support network and destroyed multiple hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park forest, which authorities say had been used as a base for criminal operations.
The military confirmed that several soldiers were killed during the rescue mission but did not provide further details regarding the circumstances of their deaths or the number of casualties.
The rescued pupils and teachers are receiving medical care and psychosocial support before being reunited with their families, many of whom described the weeks-long ordeal as traumatic and emotionally exhausting.
The incident has renewed calls for stronger protection of schools across Nigeria, with education advocates urging authorities to accelerate the implementation of the Safe School Initiative, a national program designed to safeguard students, teachers and educational institutions from attacks and abductions.
School kidnappings have remained a major security challenge in parts of Nigeria in recent years, prompting increased government efforts to strengthen security operations, protect learning environments and prevent armed groups from targeting vulnerable communities.
The successful rescue marks a significant breakthrough for Nigerian security agencies but also underscores the continuing need for long-term measures to improve safety in schools and restore public confidence in the country’s education system.
