Tears of joy and heartfelt embraces filled the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on Tuesday as schoolchildren and teachers rescued from kidnappers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State reunited with their families after 56 days in captivity.
Parents, who had waited anxiously for medical clearance, rushed to embrace their children as they were discharged from the hospital. Many expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, security agencies, religious leaders and Nigerians for their support and prayers.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, said 31 of the 39 rescued pupils had been discharged, while eight remained under observation. He also disclosed that doctors discovered a congenital heart defect in one of the children during routine medical examinations and that the state government would be notified to facilitate treatment.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed bandits attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, kidnapping 39 pupils and six teachers. They regained their freedom on July 10 before undergoing medical and psychological assessments ahead of their reunion with their families.
The emotional reunion marked the end of a traumatic ordeal and renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect schools across the country.
