Families of children and teachers kidnapped during the Oyo school abduction in Oriire Local Government Area have rejected demands by the abductors for food items and cash, insisting that their loved ones be released unconditionally. The parents said they could not meet the conditions reportedly communicated by the kidnappers and appealed to security agencies and government authorities to intensify rescue efforts. The development comes more than two weeks after the Oyo school abduction that affected dozens of pupils and school personnel in the state.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked schools in communities within Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The incident resulted in the kidnapping of 39 pupils and seven teachers, triggering widespread concern among residents, civil society groups, education stakeholders, and public officials.
The abduction has since generated protests in Oyo and neighbouring states, with demonstrators calling for the immediate rescue of the victims and stronger security measures around schools. The incident also prompted intervention from federal and state authorities, while security agencies launched efforts to locate the abductees. President Bola Tinubu recently expressed concern over the incident and directed security agencies to intensify efforts aimed at securing the safe return of the victims.
According to family members, the abductors established contact and reportedly demanded large quantities of rice alongside cash payments before releasing the children and teachers. The parents said the request was beyond their financial capacity and insisted that the captives should not be subjected to further hardship because of their inability to meet the demand.
Some of the affected families appealed directly to the Oyo State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies to secure the release of the victims without delay. They expressed concern about the physical and emotional condition of the children after weeks in captivity.
The families also stated that many of the affected households were facing severe emotional and economic strain. Several parents said they had exhausted available resources while seeking ways to facilitate the return of their children.
The prolonged captivity has continued to generate reactions across the country. The Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, directed public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to begin an indefinite strike, citing concerns over the continued detention of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The Oyo school abduction has renewed concerns about school security and the safety of pupils and teachers across Nigeria. Education stakeholders have warned that repeated attacks on schools could discourage attendance and undermine learning outcomes, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The incident has also intensified calls for stronger preventive measures, improved intelligence gathering, and enhanced protection for educational institutions. Civil society organisations and community groups continue to demand urgent action to secure the release of the victims and prevent similar occurrences.
