Students and teachers who were rescued after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been discharged from the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and reunited with their families.
Emotional scenes unfolded at the hospital on Tuesday as relatives welcomed the victims with tears, prayers and songs of thanksgiving after weeks of uncertainty.
The Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, announced the names of those certified medically fit for discharge, prompting joyful reunions between the victims and their loved ones.
Many parents embraced their children in tears, while some mothers expressed gratitude by kneeling and praying after seeing them for the first time since they were kidnapped.
Several families thanked President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, security agencies, religious leaders and Nigerians for their support, prayers and efforts that contributed to the victims’ rescue.
One of the rescued teachers, Mary Dahunsi, who left the hospital with her husband and baby, expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal and prayed that no other family would experience a similar situation.
Despite the traumatic incident, some parents dismissed reports suggesting they intended to abandon their communities, insisting they had no plans to relocate.
One grateful mother said she was thankful that all four of her children and her daughter-in-law returned home safely.
Prof. Olakulehin disclosed that 31 of the 39 rescued pupils had been discharged, while eight remained under medical observation.
He also revealed that one child was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect during routine medical examinations, a condition that had not been previously detected by the child’s family.
According to him, the hospital has begun the necessary medical procedures and will inform the Oyo State Government to facilitate further treatment for the child.
The hospital received a total of 44 rescued victims, including pupils and teachers, from the Oyo State Government for medical and psychological assessments before reuniting them with their families.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has announced plans to establish two military bases and deploy specialised security units to Oriire Local Government Area to strengthen security and prevent future attacks.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, after armed bandits attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L.A. Primary School and Community Grammar School in Ahoro-Esienle, Oriire Local Government Area.
They regained their freedom on July 10 after spending 56 days in captivity before undergoing medical evaluation and psychological assessment ahead of their discharge.
