The Oyo State Government has officially announced the release of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted from the Oriire Local Government Area, heralding their freedom as a major triumph for principled leadership and security resilience.

In a statement released in Ibadan, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, expressed profound relief and gratitude that the victims are finally free after weeks in captivity.

Over 40 schoolchildren and educators were taken during coordinated raids on Community High School, LA Primary School, and Baptist Primary and Nursery School in the LGA.

“We are happy to report to our people in Oyo that our children and teachers at Oriire have been released from captivity,” Oyelade stated.

He highlighted that the rescue operation was a stern test of the government`s resolve against criminal elements. The Commissioner stressed that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde deliberately resisted immense pressure to adopt a "quick-fix" approach, maintaining a strict policy of zero-tolerance for ransom payments.

“Yielding to ransom demands would only encourage criminals and strengthen their operations,” Oyelade explained. He noted that paying kidnappers provides temporary relief but ultimately endangers society by emboldening criminal gangs to destabilize the region.

He reaffirmed the state`s long-term commitment to pragmatic, sustainable security measures, assuring residents that the government will continue working closely with security agencies to completely rid Oyo State of kidnapping and banditry.

Following the release, the THENEWSCREDIT confirmed that the federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, echoed the state`s stance, confirming that no ransom or concessions were made to secure the victims` safety.