How joint security forces rescued abducted Oyo schoolchildren, killed kidnappers, arrested eight suspects

After enduring 56 days in captivity, dozens of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have finally regained their freedom following a coordinated military-led rescue operation involving multiple Nigerian security agencies.

The rescue, carried out on Friday, brought an end to one of the most traumatic school kidnapping incidents in the South-West in recent years. According to the Presidency, the operation was driven by intelligence gathered over several weeks and involved the Nigerian military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies working in close coordination.

During the operation, security forces arrested eight suspected kidnappers, while several others were neutralised during gun battles. The arrested suspects are currently in the custody of the DSS and are expected to face prosecution after investigations.

President Bola Tinubu described the operation as a major victory against terrorism and kidnapping, saying the successful rescue demonstrated the effectiveness of sustained intelligence-led security operations. He praised members of the armed forces, DSS and the police for working tirelessly for nearly two months to secure the victims’ freedom without causing collateral damage. (Reuters)

The President also pledged that justice would be served for the murdered teacher, Michael Oyedokun, and every other victim affected by the attack.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists and led to the arrest of eight others,” Tinubu said.

He directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and other relevant agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care, trauma counselling and humanitarian support for the rescued children and teachers.

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The President further urged the Oyo State Government to strengthen security around schools and vulnerable communities to prevent similar attacks.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen riding motorcycles simultaneously attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area.

The attackers abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, forcing them into the forests around the Old Oyo National Park.

The attack claimed the life of Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan, who was shot while attempting to shield pupils during the invasion. Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed by the kidnappers while in captivity, sparking nationwide outrage.

The abduction paralysed academic activities across parts of Oyo State and triggered widespread protests by parents, labour unions, teachers and civil society organisations demanding the immediate rescue of the victims.

In response, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) directed public school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike beginning June 1. The industrial action lasted for one month before it was suspended on July 1 after government assurances that rescue efforts had intensified and additional security measures would be implemented.

The prolonged closure of schools also disrupted the state’s Common Entrance Examination, forcing authorities to postpone the exercise until August.

Throughout the 56-day ordeal, security agencies maintained that an intelligence-driven strategy offered the best chance of rescuing the victims alive. The military, DSS, police, Amotekun Corps, local hunters, forest guards and other security outfits sustained coordinated surveillance, aerial reconnaissance and ground operations across forests and difficult terrain believed to be used by the kidnappers.

Just days before the rescue, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed that troops were making “significant progress” and expressed confidence that the abducted children and teachers would soon regain their freedom. (The Guardian Nigeria)

During their captivity, the abductors released several videos showing the victims pleading for government intervention. The emotional appeals by the principal of Community Grammar School, Mrs Rachael Alamu, drew national attention and intensified calls for urgent action. She appealed to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, security agencies, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and well-meaning Nigerians to help secure their release.

She also dismissed claims circulating online that the kidnappers had demanded ₦1 billion ransom, weapons or the imposition of Sharia law, warning that misinformation could undermine ongoing rescue efforts.

The Federal Government responded by dispatching a high-powered delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, alongside National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, senior military officers, police leadership and ministers to reassure the affected communities that every available resource was being deployed to rescue the victims.

President Tinubu also approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security across Oyo State and improve surveillance in forested areas vulnerable to criminal activities.

Governor Seyi Makinde repeatedly assured residents that the state government was working closely with federal authorities and security agencies to secure the victims’ release. He visited affected communities, held regular security meetings and appealed to residents to support ongoing operations by providing credible intelligence.

Following their rescue, the pupils and teachers expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and members of the security agencies for securing their freedom.

In a video released by the Presidency, one of the rescued victims thanked the President and security personnel for their commitment and courage.

“We are grateful, Mr President. We appreciate your commitment to our safety. Every security operative tried so much, and that is why we are alive today. Thank you very much,” the victim said.

Security experts say the successful rescue represents one of the most significant hostage recovery operations in Nigeria this year and demonstrates the growing use of intelligence-driven tactics in tackling mass kidnappings. Authorities have vowed to continue operations to apprehend other members of the criminal network and prevent future attacks on schools and communities.

How joint security forces rescued abducted Oyo schoolchildren, killed kidnappers, arrested eight suspects

Two Arrested for Smoking on Air Peace Flight from South Africa – Police

The Lagos Airport Police Command has concluded plans to arraign two passengers accused of smoking and engaging in unruly conduct onboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos, an incident that allegedly triggered the aircraft’s emergency smoke alarm and caused panic among passengers and crew. The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, ASP Mohammed Adeola, identifying the suspects as 51-year-old Enaruna Prince Aghama and 43-year-old Tony Ajayi. According to the police, Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel handed the two men over to officers at the International Airport Police Division after the aircraft landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, for investigation, setting the stage for what could be a landmark prosecution of aviation safety violations in Nigeria.

Preliminary findings indicated that the incident occurred at about 7:44 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, 2026, while the aircraft was en route to Lagos. “Preliminary investigation revealed that at about 1944hrs on 9th July, 2026, while aboard an Air Peace flight from South Africa to Lagos, the suspects lit and smoked cigarettes inside the aircraft, an action which activated the aircraft’s smoke detection and emergency alarm system, causing panic and anxiety among passengers and cabin crew,” the statement read. The activation of the smoke alarm forced the crew to investigate and take action to ensure the safety of all onboard, creating a tense atmosphere as passengers became aware of the potential threat.

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Police further stated that investigators found the suspects were in possession of an alcoholic beverage and allegedly refused to cooperate with cabin crew members who attempted to enforce safety regulations. The statement added that the pair “became uncooperative and verbally aggressive when cabin crew members attempted to de-escalate the situation and enforce established safety regulations, thereby further disrupting the orderly conduct of the flight”. The suspects’ refusal to comply with crew instructions reportedly escalated the situation, requiring additional intervention from the flight crew to prevent further disruption.

The suspects were reportedly part of a group of Nigerians evacuated from South Africa amid ongoing tensions over xenophobic attacks. Their conduct, however, has drawn sharp condemnation from aviation authorities, who have made it clear that such behavior will not be tolerated regardless of the circumstances. Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, CP Ogunbode Olufunke, condemned the alleged actions of the passengers, describing them as a threat to aviation safety. “Any act capable of compromising aviation safety or disrupting the orderly operation of an aircraft is unacceptable,” she said, underscoring the seriousness with which authorities view such violations.

Olufunke added that the command “remains committed to the strict enforcement of aviation security laws and the protection of the lives of passengers, crew members, and all airport users”. She also appealed to air travellers to comply with lawful instructions issued by airline operators and aviation officials, stressing that “maintaining discipline and orderly conduct aboard aircraft is a shared responsibility essential to safe air travel”. The police said the suspects would be arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction upon the conclusion of the ongoing investigation, with authorities signaling that a strong message would be sent to deter others from similar conduct in the future.

Two Arrested for Smoking on Air Peace Flight from South Africa – Police

“I Just Learned I Filed for Divorce” – Nnamdi Kanu’s Wife Breaks Silence

Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, wife of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has refuted reports alleging that she has initiated divorce proceedings against her husband, describing the claims as “entirely false” and “misinformation”. In a statement shared on her verified X account on Friday, Okwu-Kanu said she was compelled to respond following the circulation of what she described as false online reports claiming that she had filed for divorce. She wrote: “For the avoidance of doubt, I have not filed for divorce. The publication is entirely false and should be treated as misinformation”. Reacting to the rumours with a mixture of humour and dismissal, she posted on X: “Good conscious evening, my blessed Biafrans. I have just learned that I filed for Divorce while my husband is in prison”. The post, which included laughing emojis, appeared to mock the online reports that had claimed she filed for divorce following years of alleged infidelity, financial neglect, and family interference.

Okwu-Kanu lamented the spread of unverified stories about her family, saying it was disturbing that some individuals continued to circulate fabricated information without confirming the facts. According to her, such actions “undermine responsible journalism”. She also appealed to members of the public to obtain information concerning her only from her or through her authorised representatives, and expressed appreciation to those who reached out to verify the reports before sharing them. Her response has been widely shared across social media platforms, with many of her followers commending her for addressing the rumours directly and with dignity.

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Nnamdi Kanu and Uchechi Okwu-Kanu were married in 2009. The IPOB leader is currently serving a life sentence at the Sokoto Custodial Centre after being convicted on terrorism-related charges by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja in November 2025. The court found him guilty on all seven counts, sentencing him to life imprisonment on five counts, 20 years on one count and five years on another, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently. The conviction has attracted widespread attention both within Nigeria and internationally, with human rights groups and political figures expressing concerns about the trial and the conditions of his detention.

Kanu has since challenged the judgment, filing a notice of appeal before the Court of Appeal on February 4, 2026, seeking to overturn both his conviction and sentence. The appeal, which contains 22 grounds, alleges fundamental legal errors and a miscarriage of justice. Among the grounds, Kanu contends that the trial court delivered judgment while a preliminary objection challenging the competence of the charge and his bail application remained pending, and that he was convicted under a law that had been repealed. The appeal process is ongoing, and legal observers are closely watching to see whether the appellate court will grant Kanu’s request for a new trial or uphold the lower court’s decision.

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