Families in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are voicing significant hesitation about returning their children to the schools where they were abducted. Despite a successful rescue operation, the memory of 56 days spent in captivity remains a major barrier for many parents.
On May 15, 2026, armed attackers raided Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele. The assault resulted in the kidnapping of 39 students and seven staff members, with two teachers tragically losing their lives. The survivors were held in forests near the Old Oyo National Park until their eventual liberation by security forces.
Parents and relatives express deep gratitude for the rescue but emphasize that the emotional impact of the abduction is profound. Many families are currently prioritizing their children’s psychological recovery over academic attendance, noting that they require tangible proof of improved security before feeling comfortable sending them back to the original institutions.
Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, acknowledged these concerns as valid responses to a harrowing experience. He noted that the government understands why parents might prefer the inconvenience of relocating their children to different schools. Oyelade assured the public that the state is working to improve school infrastructure and is coordinating with federal security agencies to establish a safer environment, hoping these measures will eventually restore parental confidence.
