All the schoolchildren and teachers abducted during the May 15 attack on Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom, bringing an end to a kidnapping saga that sparked nationwide outrage.
The victims were among 46 pupils, teachers and the principal of a secondary school seized when heavily armed gunmen invaded the community in one of the state’s most disturbing mass abductions in recent years.
The incident took a tragic turn days later when one of the abducted teachers, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers, heightening public anxiety and calls for intensified security operations.
The Oyo State Police Command on Friday confirmed this.
The police, however, did not disclose details of the operation that led to their freedom or state whether any arrests were made in connection with the abduction.
The release of the victims marks the end of months of uncertainty for their families, the affected community and the state, which had witnessed sustained efforts by security agencies to secure their freedom.
Further details on the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release were still being awaited at the time of filing this report.
