The Nigerian Army has officially handed over the teachers and pupils rescued from captivity in Oyo State to Governor Seyi Makinde.
The handover ceremony took place on Monday at the Oyo State Secretariat in Ibadan, where the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Major General Chinedu Nnebeufe, personally presented the rescued victims to the governor.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and spent more than 50 days in captivity before regaining their freedom. 
They were rescued on July 12 following an extensive security operation involving the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
The operation, which lasted several weeks, reportedly targeted the kidnappers’ network, logistics channels and hideouts before the victims were eventually freed.
Receiving the rescued teachers and pupils, Governor Makinde expressed gratitude to the military and other security agencies for their efforts in securing the safe release of the victims.
The successful rescue has been widely welcomed by Nigerians, with many commending the coordinated operation while urging security agencies to sustain efforts aimed at tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.
