No Ransom Paid for Released Oyo School Captives

President Bola Tinubu has declared that no ransom was paid and no concession made to secure the release of pupils and teachers held by Ansaru-linked terrorists in Oyo State, as security forces brought the 56-day ordeal to an end.

"Tonight, our nation has reason to give thanks. The children and teachers abducted by Ansaru terrorists in Oyo State have been rescued by our security forces, alive and unharmed.

"No ransom was paid. No concession was made," Tinubu wrote on his verified X account on Friday.

Recall that the abduction took place on 15 May 2026, when armed men stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School and L.A Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, seizing approximately 39 pupils and seven teachers.

One teacher, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, was killed while in captivity.

The terrorists, linked to the Ansaru faction, demanded the release of two senior Ansaru commanders held by the Department of State Services (DSS), Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara'a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Abubakar Abba or Isah Adam.

One of the captive teachers confirmed in a viral video the federal government rejected the terrorists' demand.

It was said that the rescue was carried out in a coordinated operation involving the military, the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and several others were neutralised.

Tinubu commended the agencies for their professionalism.

"I salute every officer and operative whose courage, discipline, and professionalism made this possible," he said.

The President issued a warning to those behind such attacks. "To those who seek to spread fear through terror, know that the Nigerian state will pursue you relentlessly. We will protect our people, defend our communities, and never relent until peace and security prevail across our country," he said.

Tinubu also praised the Oyo State Government for its cooperation during the operation and directed emergency agencies to work with the state to provide medical care and other support for the freed victims.

He pledged justice for the captives and the family of Oyedokun.

"My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered," he said.