Rescued Oriire kidnap victims reunite with families after 56 days

By Adejayan Gbenga

Parents and relatives of pupils rescued from captivity in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were overcome with emotion on Tuesday as they reunited with their children after 56 days of separation.

The reunions took place after the victims were discharged from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, where they had undergone medical examinations and psychosocial assessments.

The atmosphere at the hospital was filled with tears, prayers and thanksgiving as officials called out the names of the rescued pupils one after another. Parents rushed forward to embrace their children, ending weeks of anxiety and uncertainty over their fate following the abduction.

Among those reunited with their families were Testimony, Aliyu Ahmed, Abati Elizabeth and Adeleke Joshua. As each name was announced, relatives stepped forward amid loud cheers, heartfelt prayers and emotional embraces, with many describing the reunion as a miracle.

One mother, who was reunited with her daughter, Testimony, thanked God and everyone who contributed to the successful rescue operation. She also prayed for President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, members of the armed forces, the police, church leaders and Nigerians who supported the affected families with prayers throughout the victims’ captivity.

Meanwhile, hospital personnel supervised the discharge process after ensuring that every rescued pupil and teacher received comprehensive medical care and psychological support. Health professionals conducted physical examinations and counselling sessions to help the victims begin recovering from the physical and emotional trauma they experienced during their prolonged stay in captivity.

The reunions came a day after Governor Seyi Makinde formally received the rescued pupils and teachers at the Government House in Ibadan. The governor described their safe return as a major relief for the state and commended the military, police and intelligence agencies for the coordinated operation that secured the victims’ freedom.

Speaking about their ordeal, the Principal of Community High School, Oriire, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, said the abductors killed two teachers in an attempt to pressure the government into meeting their demands. She explained that the victims spent most of the 56 days in the open forest under harsh weather conditions, while the teachers did everything possible to protect the children and keep their spirits alive.

Alamu added that faith, resilience and the prayers of Nigerians sustained both the teachers and pupils throughout the difficult period. She expressed confidence that security agencies would eventually rescue them, a hope that was fulfilled when the Federal Government announced on Friday that an intelligence-led operation involving the military, police and other security agencies secured their release, with several terrorists neutralized and eight suspects arrested.