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Parents of pupils abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have expressed fears about returning their children to the affected schools, saying the trauma of spending 56 days in captivity has left many families unwilling to take further risks.
The pupils were abducted on May 15, 2026, when terrorists attacked Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele, kidnapping 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal. The victims were held in forests around the Old Oyo National Park before being rescued after 56 days. Two teachers were killed during the attack.
One relative, Fausat Akindele, said the incident had permanently changed parents’ confidence in the schools’ safety.
“What happened has changed everything for us. We thank God that our children are back, but the fear is still there. Parents need to be convinced that the schools are now safe before they can comfortably allow their children to return.”
Another family member, Basirat Adigun, said:
“No parent wants to take any risk after what these children went through. We appreciate the efforts that brought them back, but we need to see concrete security measures around the schools and the communities before we can think of returning them.”
Another relative, Adenike, whose elder sister’s children were among those abducted, added:
“Although education remains important, the emotional well-being of the children and my sister’s confidence in their safety must come first before any decision is made on their return to the school.
“There is a need to recover from the experience. Returning to the same environment immediately will be difficult unless everyone is certain that adequate protection is in place.”
Reacting, Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, described the parents’ concerns as understandable.
“It is understandable if parents do not want to send their children back to those schools.
“As human beings, the emotional trauma which they have undergone will ordinarily not allow them to freely release their children to further their education because of the nightmare.”
He added:
“Many parents may be willing to bear the considerable logistical inconvenience of transferring their children to other schools, but they would be comfortable dealing with that.
“As a government, we understand what they have gone through for 56 nightmarish days. When they see the government’s efforts in providing security and securing the schools and surrounding communities, they should be able to change their minds.”
On measures being taken, Oyelade said:
“The state government has already taken steps and mapped out further interventions. We will provide the infrastructure, which is our mandate, through the Ministry of Education to promote the welfare and well-being of all citizens. The process has started.
“Security is primarily the responsibility of the Federal Government. If both levels of government work in tandem, we should overcome the initial and understandable fears and anxieties of these parents.”
Many parents are now considering transferring their children to other schools, saying stronger security measures and renewed confidence in the safety of the affected communities will be crucial before any return to the classrooms.
