.……Commends Security Forces

President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound joy over the successful rescue of abducted children and their teachers from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, describing the operation as a major victory for Nigeria’s security agencies.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu praised the military, Department of State Services (DSS), and police for their relentless efforts over the past 56 days, which led to the safe release of the hostages without collateral damage. The operation also resulted in the arrest of eight abductors and the neutralisation of others.

The President acknowledged the immense pain and anxiety endured by the abducted children, their teachers, families, and the entire nation since the incident occurred. He, however, noted that the successful military, police, and intelligence-driven operation has brought relief after more than 50 days of siege.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today,” President Tinubu said.

“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. On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers.”

The President vowed that his administration would ensure justice for the victims and the family of Mr. Oyedokun, who was gruesomely murdered by the terrorists during the abduction.

He commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts and directed it to strengthen security around schools across the state.

President Tinubu also instructed emergency agencies to collaborate with the Oyo State Government in providing comprehensive medical care and relief support to the rescued children and teachers.

The development marks a significant boost for the Tinubu administration’s security agenda amid ongoing efforts to tackle banditry and kidnapping in parts of the country.

In a major breakthrough against insecurity in Nigeria’s Southwest, security forces have successfully rescued dozens of schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted from schools in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area.

The joint operation, involving the Nigerian Army, police, and local security networks, freed the victims from a terrorists’ hideout believed to be within the expansive Old Oyo National Park axis. Details of the rescue are still emerging, but authorities confirmed that the children and their teachers are safe and receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families.

The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed gunmen stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinle, kidnapping approximately 39 pupils and seven teachers. The incident sparked widespread outrage, protests across the state, and intense pressure on the government to secure their release.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and security chiefs had repeatedly assured residents that intensive operations were underway, with intelligence indicating the victims were held in the vast forest reserve spanning multiple local government areas. The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, recently described the ongoing efforts as making “tremendous progress,” boosting hopes that culminated in today’s successful rescue.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been commended for coordinating the military-intelligence-driven operation. Families of the abducted expressed immense relief, with many describing the ordeal as a nightmare that tested the resilience of the community.

Security sources say several suspects were neutralized or arrested during the raid, though details remain classified to protect ongoing efforts against banditry and kidnapping syndicates in the region.

This rescue comes amid heightened concerns over repeated attacks on schools in parts of Nigeria, echoing past high-profile incidents. Authorities have vowed to strengthen school security and root out criminal elements operating in forest areas.

More updates will follow as the victims are debriefed and full details of the operation are released.

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) says it has facilitated the release and utilisation of more than ₦100 billion in previously unaccessed matching grants by states and the Federal Capital Territory, marking a major boost for basic education development across Nigeria.

UBEC Executive Secretary, Aisha Garba, disclosed this during a media luncheon with education correspondents in Abuja, describing the achievement as a significant step in advancing the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for education.

Garba said the commission is implementing a results-driven strategy under its 2025–2031 Strategic Blueprint, aimed at improving access to quality basic education, strengthening learning outcomes and expanding opportunities for millions of Nigerian children.

She noted that the newly accessed funds are being deployed to upgrade school infrastructure, support teacher development and enhance the learning environment nationwide.

Track Up:

According to the E.S, UBEC’s partnership with State Universal Basic Education Boards has led to the construction of more than 4,600 classrooms and the renovation of over 6,100 others.

The commission has also provided 2,780 toilets, 678 boreholes and more than 334,000 pieces of school furniture, while establishing over 2,300 Early Childhood Care Development and Education Centres across the country.

The Executive Secretary highlighted teacher development as a key priority, revealing that UBEC has invested over ₦20.4 billion in professional training programmes. She said the intervention is designed to improve classroom instruction, strengthen school leadership and promote accountability through the Effective Schools Programme and School-Based Management Committees.

Meanwhile, Chairman, Education Correspondents Association of Nigeria ( ECAN), Chux Ukwato, and Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalist, FCT council, comrade Grace Ike, emphasized importance of media engagement in promoting and showcasing achievements of the commission, calling for more synergy between ECAN and UBEC