Gunmen Abduct 45 in Oyo State School Attack

On May 15, 2026, Oriire Local Government in Oyo State experienced a severe security incident when gunmen attacked three schools, abducting 37 pupils aged 2 to 6 years and 8 teachers, including the principal, Mr. Michael Oyedokun.

During the raid, one teacher was killed, and the abducted individuals were taken to an abandoned area in Old Oyo National Park. The kidnappers demanded the release of two detained Boko Haram members as a condition for freeing the victims.

Civil society groups protested for the return of the abducted individuals, leading to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) declaring an indefinite nationwide strike due to the government's failure to ensure school safety. After extensive negotiations, on July 10, 2026, all 56 captives were rescued, prompting celebrations in Ogbomoso, where Professor Wole Alamu and his wife, Mr.

Rachael Alamu, expressed their relief. The incident highlighted ongoing security challenges in Nigerian schools.