Nigerian security forces have successfully rescued 39 schoolchildren and five teachers who were abducted nearly two months ago. The rescue operation took place in Oyo state. The article does not provide details on the specific circumstances of the abduction or the methods used in the rescue. The focus of the report is on the successful recovery of the hostages.
Nigerian security forces rescued 39 schoolchildren.
Nigerian security forces rescued five teachers.
The schoolchildren and teachers were abducted nearly two months ago.
The abduction occurred in Oyo state.
Over 40 children and teachers have been freed following a Nigerian army operation in Oyo State. The abductions, which caused significant distress to families, were particularly concerning due to their scale and location in the predominantly Christian south-west, an area where such attacks are less common than in the north. The head of the local teachers' union expressed joy at the release but stressed the urgent need for the full implementation of the Safe School Initiative. This initiative, launched over a decade ago, includes measures such as deploying security personnel, CCTV, regular patrols, and fencing school premises. Lawmakers and rights groups have called for an investigation into the use of funds for this initiative amid ongoing school kidnappings in Nigeria.
More than 40 kidnapped children and teachers were freed after a Nigerian army operation.
The abductors released videos of the teachers and pupils.
— Prof Wole Alamu
The Teachers' Union in Oyo State urges authorities to fully implement stronger security measures for schools.
— Hassan Ajibola
Continued school kidnappings in Nigeria have led to calls for an investigation into Safe School Initiative funds.
The Oyo state abductions caused concern due to their scale and location in the predominantly Christian south-west.
Dozens of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Nigeria's southwestern Oyo state in May have been rescued, according to the presidency. The hostages, taken from three separate schools, were freed 56 days after their kidnapping. President Bola Tinubu announced the successful rescue by Nigeria's security agencies, stating that eight assailants were arrested and an unspecified number killed. The abductions, which occurred on May 15, involved 46 students and staff, with the youngest victim aged two and the oldest 16. One teacher was killed shortly after the initial kidnapping. The government has attributed these incidents to Boko Haram, a group that has increasingly resorted to school kidnappings for ransom payments amidst Nigeria's ongoing security crisis.
Nigerian government officials announced Friday that students abducted in May by Muslim militants in the southwestern Oyo state have been rescued. The abductions, which occurred on May 15 from two secondary schools, initially involved more than 40 people, including students and teachers, with one teacher killed shortly after. Eight militants were arrested during the rescue operation, while an unspecified number of militants were killed. This incident marked an escalation of Nigeria's security crisis, as such abductions had primarily taken place in the northern regions. President Bola Tinubu stated the operation brought relief to the nation and affected families. School abductions are a common tactic used by militant groups in Nigeria to pressure the government and secure ransoms.
Dozens of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Nigeria have been rescued.
— presidency
56 students and teachers were kidnapped from three schools in Oyo state.
— President Bola Tinubu
Eight assailants have been arrested, and an unspecified number killed.
— President Bola Tinubu
The youngest child taken was aged two, and the oldest was 16.
In 2024, gunmen earned more than $1.6m in ransom payments.
— SBM Intelligence