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It was a moment of jubilation yesterday as Nigerians and different groups expressed delight over the release of the abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State.
Makinde: It’s big relief
•Thanks Tinubu, security chiefs for release of abducted schoolchildren
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has described the release of abducted persons in the state as a “big relief,” saying the state government and families had waited 57 days for their freedom.
In a telephone interview with a television network last night, Makinde thanked the service commanders, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, the military, and the Federal High Command for their roles in securing the release.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for what he described as sustained pressure that helped bring the matter to a resolution.
“Thank you so much. It’s such a big relief for all of us and for those waiting for this past 57 days,” the governor said.
“I think it’s a big relief for all of us. And we’ll use the opportunity to say thank you to our service commanders, the Nigerian police, the DSS, the military, and the high command, and of course the President, for pushing really hard to have this thing done,” he added.
Makinde said he was “overjoyed” by the development but noted that he would speak further once he had gathered his thoughts.”
Makinde also thanked the media for keeping the momentum in keeping all stakeholders on their toes until the victims were released.
Release of abducted Oyo schoolchildren, teachers heart-warming – Afenifere
•Says security must be strengthened
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has expressed profound joy over the release of the schoolchildren and their teachers who were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State,
The organisation described the development as a huge relief to their families and the entire Yoruba nation.
Speaking with Saturday Sun on Friday, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Jare Ajayi, commended the Federal Government, security agencies and all those who played various roles in securing the victims’ freedom.
“We received the news of the release of the abducted schoolchildren and their teachers with great joy and profound gratitude to God. It is a heart-warming development that the children have finally regained their freedom after going through such a traumatic experience,” he said.
Ajayi, commending the efforts of the Federal Government and the various security agencies, said their commitment and collaboration contributed significantly to the successful rescue of the victims.
“We commend the Federal Government and the security agencies for the efforts they put into ensuring the safe release of these innocent children and their teachers.
“We equally give all the glory to Almighty God because, despite the frightening circumstances surrounding their abduction, the children returned alive.”
The Afenifere spokesman, however, lamented the gruesome killing of one of the victims, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, the mathematics teacher who was beheaded by the abductors during the period of captivity.
“It is deeply painful and heart-breaking that while we are celebrating the return of the children and other victims, we are also mourning the brutal killing of Mr Michael Oyedokun, a dedicated mathematics teacher. His gruesome murder is a tragedy that should never have happened. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues and the entire educational community.”
Ajayi stressed that the unfortunate incident should serve as a wake-up call to all levels of government to strengthen security around schools and rural communities.
“We pray that such a horrific incident will never happen again anywhere in Yorubaland or any other part of Nigeria. The safety of our children, teachers and every citizen must remain a top priority.
“We urge the Federal, State and Local Governments to work together more closely to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve security architecture and ensure that no community or school is left vulnerable to criminal elements. Our schools must remain safe havens for learning, not targets for kidnappers.”
Ajayi added that Afenifere would continue to advocate improved security across the South-West and Nigeria as a whole, stressing that no society can achieve meaningful development in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
It’s good development, others in North should also be released – Pogu. MBF president
Present of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Bitrus Pogu, has said the release of the abducted Oyo State children was a welcome development.
He said their freedom was made possible because of the dogged pressure the media mounted on the government; the media, he stressed didn’t allow the government any breathing space.
He emphasised that the government should also do more by ensuring the release of the other students kidnapped in the schools in the North.
“But as we are talking, there are still people from the North East, who are still in captivity, and nobody is talking about them.
“So, it is still a selective rescue for political purposes. Nobody is saying that the government is lagging or whatever.
“The truth about the matter is we are fighting against another force, the same type of force that fought against former President Goodluck Jonathan 2014. That’s what we are fighting against.
“The problem with this country is that we are running a two parallel system; we have a supposed constitution that’s supposed to provide a level playing ground for everybody, and then we have the sharia, which was introduced in the constitution in 1999 by Abdulsalam.
“These people who are the bandits, the terrorists, the Islamists are using that window of sharia to commit all these atrocities in the country,” Pogu said.
APM commends security agencies, Makinde on rescue of Oyo pupils
The Allied People’s Movement (APM) has expressed delight over the rescue of school children and teachers kidnapped two months ago in Orire, in Oyo State.
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The APM, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf,on Friday, commended the security agencies and the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, for their efforts in ensuring the rescue of the pupils and their teachers.
The APM, while describing the development as heart-warming, said it brings an end to weeks of agonizing anxiety for the families, the academic community, the government and people of Oyo State and well-meaning Nigerians across the country.
“The APM commends the tactical precision, resilience, and synergy demonstrated by our security agencies—including the military, police, and local intelligence units, for their efforts towards ensuring that these innocent citizens were brought back alive.
“We also extend our special commendation to the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, for his exemplary leadership, responsiveness and unrelenting efforts rewards the release of the victims and overall security of the State especially at this critical time.
“Governor Makinde’s administrative support and collaboration with security apparatuses proved pivotal in achieving this positive outcome. While we celebrate this safe return, the APM reminds all stakeholders that the safety of our educational institutions and of course all our communities and cities must remain a top priority.
“No Nigerian child or educator should have to pursue knowledge under the shadow of fear. We urge government at all levels to build on this success by deploying more robust, proactive security measures around schools, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The APM stands in solidarity with the rescued victims and their families as they begin the vital process of healing and rehabilitation,” the party stated.
What FG must do for freed victims, parents – Psychologists
Kayode Onaolapo Taiwo is a Professor and Consulting Clinical Psychologist at the Lagos State University (LASU).
Reacting to the release of the Oyo
He said: “I’m glad to hear that the victims have been rescued. It’s a welcome development, and I’m very happy about that.
“But at the same time, I would like the government to prioritise their medical and also their psychological well-being because the kind of trauma they must have gone through during the period of the kidnap is unimaginable.
“I urge that the government take urgent steps to ensure they receive immediate and comprehensive medical care to address any physical injuries or health issues. Beyond that, they should also be provided with professional counselling and therapy to help them process the trauma and begin their recovery.
“It is equally important that the government extends support to their parents and families at this time. Many of them must have gone through immense emotional and financial strain. They should be considered with financial assistance and welfare support to help them care for the victims and stabilise their households during this period.
“They should be counselled and given the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings. At this point, they should be allowed to express themselves and their families should be given some time and privacy to recover, heal, and reintegrate properly.”
Bartholomew Ogeh, Clinical Psychologist at the Kaduna State Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Agency said: “To support survivors of prolonged abduction, there’s the need to treat them as whole persons. This is because trauma affects their body, mind, and social life. Their recovery therefore requires a multi approach:
First, medical care should be provided to treat their physical injuries, infections, and malnutrition.
Secondly, psychological care, such as evaluation and treatment for PTSD, depression, and sleep issues, should be provided. This will help them process the terror they went through, allowing them to regain control over their lives.
Lastly, social support needs to be provided whereby survivors are warmly welcome back into family and community life with patience and love. This will help heal the isolation of captivity and restore their long-term well-being.
When physical, mental, and social support work together, they give survivors the complete security they need to heal and safely rebuild their lives.”
Oyo APC, educators express joy over victims’ rescue
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the combined efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies, which yielded the freedom of schoolchildren and their teachers from the custody of bandits as the best news of the year.
The party stated that President Bola Tinubu has again shown commitment to fighting crimes to a standstill in the country.
In a statement issued on Friday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC charged the state governor, Seyi Makinde, to take some proactive measures in guiding a repeat of the ugly experience in any part of the state.
Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, also welcomed the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils.
He described their release as a moment of great relief and thanksgiving for the entire education community in the state.
In a statement he personally signed on Friday, Adeniran gave glory to God for preserving the lives of the victims and making their reunion with their families possible after the traumatic ordeal.
He said the development had brought immense joy to families, colleagues, classmates and all those who stood in prayers and hope throughout the period of their captivity.
It’s welcome development – COSEYL
The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), the apex socio-political youth organisation in the South East, has said it received with profound relief and joy, the news of the release of the school children abducted in Oyo State.
According to the President General of the group, Comrade Goodluck Ibem, their freedom is a moment of celebration for their families, their schools, and every Nigerian who stood in solidarity with them throughout this traumatic ordeal, adding that: “No child should ever have to endure the horror of abduction simply for pursuing an education.
“While we celebrate this positive development, we must state unequivocally that the release of victims should never be mistaken for victory over insecurity.
“The real victory will come only when criminal gangs are dismantled, their sponsors exposed and prosecuted, and every Nigerian can travel, learn, and live without fear.
“The recurring abduction of school children has become a national emergency that demands more than routine condemnation and reactive security responses. It requires intelligence-driven operations, strengthened inter-agency coordination, improved protection for schools, and unwavering political commitment to defeat criminal networks.”
COSEYL called on the Federal Government and all security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend every individual connected with this heinous crime; those who orchestrated, financed, or executed this abduction must face the full weight of the law. Justice must not end with the victims’ release.
