Nigeria rescues pupils, teachers abducted in southwest

Dozens of pupils and teachers kidnapped about two months ago by terrorists in Nigeria's southwestern state of Oyo were rescued during a joint operation by security forces, a senior government official said Friday.

In a post on X, Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, confirmed that all the abducted pupils and teachers from the Oriire community had regained their freedom in a rescue operation carried out by multiple security agencies.

The victims were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area. 

Local media reported that 46 people, including 39 pupils and seven teachers, were taken hostage. One of the teachers was later killed while in captivity.

Nigerian authorities identified the attackers as members of the Boko Haram militant group who had relocated from the country's northeast.

According to Defence Minister Christopher Musa, the kidnappers demanded the release of detained Boko Haram commanders in exchange for the hostages, a request the government rejected.

In a video shared by the president's spokesman, one of the rescued teachers thanked the government and security forces for securing their release.

"We understand your commitment to our safety and we appreciate all you did for us," she said. "Security operatives tried so much, and that is why we are still alive right now."