No Ransom Paid, No Concession Made to Free Oyo Abductees — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said no ransom was paid and no concession was made to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The President made the declaration on Friday in a post on his verified X account following the successful rescue of the victims by security agencies after 56 days in captivity.

“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.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed terrorists attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers.

During the 56-day ordeal, one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed by the kidnappers, sparking nationwide outrage and renewed calls for stronger security around schools.

The President commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force for carrying out what he described as a successful rescue operation.

“I salute every officer and operative whose courage, discipline, and professionalism made this possible,” he wrote.

In a separate statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said the victims were rescued during a coordinated military, police and intelligence-led operation.

According to the Presidency, the operation led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, while several other members of the terrorist group were neutralised.

Tinubu also commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation throughout the rescue efforts and directed relevant emergency agencies to work with the state government to provide medical care, psychological support and other assistance to the rescued pupils and teachers.

The President also vowed to ensure justice for the victims and the family of Michael Oyedokun.

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

Reaffirming his administration's commitment to tackling insecurity, Tinubu warned terrorist groups that the government would continue to pursue them relentlessly.

“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 added.

The rescue brought to an end one of Nigeria's longest school abduction incidents in recent months and paved the way for the victims to begin medical evaluation, trauma counselling and reunification with their families.