Grand Chief Imam of Oyo hails rescue of abducted Oriire pupils, teachers

Grand Chief Imam of Oyo hails rescue of abducted Oriire pupils, teachers

The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has welcomed the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing their freedom after 56 days in captivity as a moment of relief and thanksgiving for the state and the nation.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Islamic leader expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for what he described as the safe return of the victims, saying the development had renewed hope among the affected families and Nigerians.

He said the rescue marked the end of weeks of anxiety following the abduction, which drew widespread concern across the country and prompted sustained rescue efforts by security agencies.

The Grand Chief Imam commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, as well as the directives that culminated in the intelligence-led rescue operation.

He also praised the President’s pledge to ensure justice for the victims and to provide medical care and humanitarian support for the rescued children and teachers.

Sheikh Akeugberu equally acknowledged the role of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, commending the state government for working closely with the Federal Government and security agencies throughout the rescue efforts.

He also expressed appreciation to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abdul Hakeem Abimbola Owoade Elewuetu I, for his leadership, concern and support for the affected communities during the period of captivity.

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The cleric reserved special commendation for the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other intelligence and security agencies, praising their professionalism, resilience and coordinated operations that led to the successful rescue of the victims.

According to him, the dedication and sacrifices of security personnel in protecting lives and preserving national security deserve recognition and continued public support.

He also appreciated Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, media practitioners and Nigerians who stood by the victims’ families through prayers, advocacy and other forms of support while the children and teachers remained in captivity.

While celebrating the successful rescue, the Grand Chief Imam expressed condolences to the family of Michael Oyedokun, the teacher who was killed during the ordeal, praying that God grants them the strength to bear the loss.

He called on governments at all levels to strengthen security around schools and communities to prevent future attacks, stressing that the protection of children and educational institutions must remain a national priority.

The Islamic leader further urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible information and to promote unity in the collective effort to tackle kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of violent crime.

The rescue operation ended a 56-day ordeal that began on May 15, 2026, when armed kidnappers attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers in one of the most significant school kidnapping incidents recorded in Nigeria’s South-West.

Security agencies later confirmed that the victims were rescued during an intelligence-led operation in which some of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised while others were arrested.

Grand Chief Imam of Oyo hails rescue of abducted Oriire pupils, teachers