Parents Reject Return Of Rescued Oriire Pupils To School

Parents of pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity have said they are not ready to send their children back to the schools where they were abducted, citing lingering trauma and concerns over their safety.

While expressing gratitude to God, the Federal Government, security agencies and everyone involved in securing the release of the victims, many parents said the psychological impact of the ordeal remains too overwhelming for their children to immediately return to the affected schools.

The pupils and their teachers were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed terrorists invaded Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele, located near Ogbomoso in Oyo State.

During the attack, 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were taken into the forests around the Old Oyo National Park, where they remained in captivity for 56 days. Two teachers lost their lives during the attack before security operatives eventually rescued the remaining victims.

Despite the successful rescue operation, many families said the incident has permanently shaken their confidence in the security of the schools, with several now considering transferring their children to other institutions.

A relative of one of the rescued pupils, Fausat Akindele, said the traumatic experience had completely changed how parents viewed the schools.

“What happened has changed everything for us. We thank God our children are back, but the fear remains. Parents need convincing assurances that the schools are now safe before they can confidently allow their children to return,” she said.

Another family member, Basirat Adigun, described the experience as one that continues to affect both the children and their parents.

“No parent wants to expose a child to another tragedy after what these children went through. We appreciate the efforts that secured their release, but we need to see concrete security measures around the schools and surrounding communities before considering their return,” she said.

Adenike, whose sister’s children were among those abducted, stressed that the emotional recovery of the victims should be prioritised over their immediate return to school.

“Education is important, but the children’s emotional well-being and parents’ confidence in their safety must come first. Returning them to the same environment immediately will be difficult unless there is certainty that adequate protection is in place,” she said.

Reacting to the concerns, Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, acknowledged that the fears expressed by parents were understandable considering the traumatic ordeal they had endured.

He noted that many families might choose to enrol their children in different schools despite the inconvenience, adding that the state government appreciates the emotional burden parents have carried over the past two months.

According to Oyelade, the Oyo State Government has already begun upgrading facilities at the affected schools through the Ministry of Education while also working to improve security in the surrounding communities.

He explained that while school infrastructure is the responsibility of the state government, security falls largely under the Federal Government. He expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between both levels of government would help restore public confidence and eventually encourage parents to allow their children to resume their education safely.