By Ayodele Oni
Even though he was not explicit, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that there were casualties on the side of gallant security operatives during the operations which led to the rescue of the abducted Oyo pupils and their teachers.
“We, also commend the security agencies that took part in the rescue operations for their sacrifices.
“May the souls of those who paid the ultimate price rest in peace and may God comfort their families”, the Governor said.
The Governor
expressed relief over the rescue of the abducted school children and teachers in Ogbomoso, exclaiming: “I am overjoyed”.
In his first reaction to the release of the abducted school children and their teachers on Friday 56 days after their abduction, Governor Makinde thanked President Bola Tinubu and all the security agencies as well as the media for their efforts in achieving the successful rescue.
The 39 students and pupils as well as seven of their teachers were abducted from three schools – Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele – in Orire local government area of Oyo State in the morning hours of May 15, 2026, by suspected Boko Haram insurgents and whisked away into the forests.
The gunmen had invaded the school on several motorcycles dressed in military camouflage and started shooting sporadically, killing one teacher who reportedly resisted the snatching of his motorcycle to ferry the children away.
One of the abducted persons, a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was publicly beheaded in custody.
Expressing his joy over the release, the governor said, “It’s such a big relief for all of us and for those waiting for these past 57 days.
“I think it’s a big relief for all of us and we use the opportunity to say thank you to our Service Commanders, to the Nigerian Police, the DSS, the military, and of course the President for pushing really hard to have this done.
“I think I am just right now overjoyed, and I cannot really say much. I will talk much later when I can put my thoughts together.
“And we are also grateful to the press for sustaining the pressure on everybody until we got to this point.”
Governor Makinde disclosed that the state government would prioritise their reunion with their families and provide the necessary support for their rehabilitation in order to recover from the traumatic experience.
He said, “I am really grateful for the safe return of the children and teachers abducted from Oriire LGA 56 days ago.
“Our priority now is to ensure they are reunited with their families and support their rehabilitation after this traumatic experience.”
Paying tribute to security personnel who lost their lives during the operation, he said “We also commend the security agencies that took part in the rescue operations for their sacrifices.
“May the souls of those who paid the ultimate price rest in peace, and may God comfort their families.”
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