Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has officially received the teachers and pupils rescued from captivity after they were abducted from Ahoro Esienle and Yawota schools in Oriire Local Government Area, pledging comprehensive care and rehabilitation for all survivors.

According to Channels Television, the Nigerian Army formally handed over the rescued victims to the Oyo State Government during a ceremony at the Governor’s Office in Agodi, Ibadan, 56 days after they were kidnapped by armed terrorists.

Makinde said the state government had assumed responsibility for the victims’ welfare, assuring them of continued medical treatment, psychological support and rehabilitation.

He described the rescue as an extraordinary achievement made possible through collaboration between the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies. The governor also thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting the rescue efforts.

Addressing the survivors, Makinde acknowledged the trauma they endured during their 56-day captivity, assuring them they would not face recovery alone.

He said the government would work with the management of the affected Baptist school to ensure the teachers’ careers and the pupils’ education were not disrupted. He added that medical experts led by former University College Hospital Chief Medical Director, Prof. Temitope Alonge, would oversee their treatment before they are reunited with their families.

The General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said the rescue followed intelligence-led operations involving multiple security agencies.

He disclosed that preliminary investigations suggested some local vigilantes and hunters collaborated with the kidnappers, adding that authorities would review the incident to prevent a recurrence.

Nnebeife also explained that military aircraft could not be used because the victims were held deep inside a forest, making aerial extraction impossible and requiring carefully coordinated ground operations.

The ceremony also heard a harrowing account from the school principal, who described the captives’ ordeal as torturous. She alleged that teachers and pupils were subjected to severe physical abuse during captivity.

The principal further revealed that the abductors beheaded mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun and also killed another teacher, John Olaleye, to pressure the government into meeting their demands.

The Oriire school abduction drew nationwide attention before the Nigerian Army and other security agencies rescued the surviving teachers and pupils during coordinated operations in the Old Oyo National Park and surrounding forests.