The Oyo State government is upbeat that it did not have to pay ransom to secure the release of kidnapped students and teachers of the May 15, 2026, attack on three schools in Ogbomoso in Oriire local government area by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that on the fateful day, 39 students and pupils and seven teachers were kidnapped from the Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele by gunmen who carried out coordinated attacks on the three schools and shepherded their victims into the forest.
In a statement on Friday signed by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the state government expressed gratitude that the victims had regained their freedom after weeks in captivity.
Oyelade said, “We are happy to report to our people in Oyo State that our children and teachers at Oriire have been released from captivity,” emphasising that the successful rescue demonstrated the government’s determination to confront criminality without yielding to pressure to pay ransom.
The commissioner said Governor Makinde’s administration had remained resolute despite calls to adopt what he described as a “quick fix” approach to secure the victims’ release.
He said refusing to pay ransom reflected the administration’s long-term commitment to tackling kidnapping and banditry across the state, insisting that yielding to the demands of kidnappers would only embolden criminal groups and strengthen their operations.
Oyelade said the government’s approach was aimed at addressing insecurity through pragmatic and sustainable measures rather than actions capable of encouraging criminal elements.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property, Oyelade assured that the administration would continue to work closely with security agencies to rid Oyo State of kidnapping and other criminal activities.
