Rescued Oyo Pupils, Teachers Reunite With Families After 56-Day Ordeal

Emotional scenes played out at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso on Tuesday as pupils and teachers rescued from kidnappers reunited with their families after spending 56 days in captivity.

The reunions came after the victims were discharged from the hospital, where they had been receiving medical treatment and psychosocial support following their rescue by security operatives.

The discharge marked the end of nearly two months of anguish for parents and relatives who had feared they might never see their loved ones alive again.

Hospital officials coordinated the process by calling the names of the rescued pupils one after another as anxious family members stepped forward to receive them.

According to reports, 31 of the rescued victims have so far been discharged, while one remains under medical observation after doctors detected a heart-related condition requiring further evaluation.

Among those reunited with their families were Testimony, Aliyu Ahmed, Abati Elizabeth and Adeleke Joshua, whose names drew emotional reactions from waiting relatives.

Tears, prayers and thanksgiving filled the hospital premises as parents embraced their children, many of whom appeared physically exhausted but relieved to be free.

One mother, overwhelmed with emotion after embracing her daughter, Testimony, thanked God and everyone who contributed to the rescue effort.

"God of heaven and earth, I thank God, Governor Seyi Makinde, Tinubu, Army, vigilantes and those that support us with prayers," she said.

The reunions took place a day after the Nigerian military formally handed over the rescued pupils and teachers to the Oyo State Government following a coordinated rescue operation involving the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes.

Authorities kept the victims under medical observation for 24 hours before approving their discharge.

The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when armed men attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota and LA Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The incident triggered nationwide outrage and prompted an extensive security operation that eventually led to their rescue after 56 days in captivity.

Speaking after the handover on Monday, the principal of Community High School, Esiele, Mrs Rachael Alamu, described their experience in captivity as a traumatic ordeal characterised by fear, hunger and constant movement through forests.

She said the kidnappers frequently relocated the captives under the cover of darkness whenever they suspected security forces were closing in on their location.

"There were times we had to move from one place to another. Once they believed the place had been discovered, we would start moving around 7:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. Sometimes we walked for three to four hours at night," she recalled.

Alamu also revealed that younger children were repeatedly beaten by the kidnappers, while male captives were blindfolded, handcuffed and chained.

She disclosed that the abductors deliberately killed two teachers, including mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, whose beheading was later circulated in a viral video in an attempt to pressure the government into meeting their demands.

"They killed them purposely because they thought it would force the government to provide them whatever they wanted," she said.

Despite the physical and emotional trauma, Alamu said faith sustained both teachers and pupils throughout their captivity.

"We have scars already, but we believe it is now time to heal," she added.

Although the rescue operation successfully secured the freedom of the captives, it came at a heavy cost, with two teachers and security personnel losing their lives during efforts to rescue them.

Authorities have pledged to sustain operations against criminal groups operating in forests across Oyo State while continuing to provide medical care, counselling and rehabilitation support to the rescued victims as they begin rebuilding their lives.