Joy as abducted Oyo pupils reunite with families after 56 days

Emotions ran high at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, on Tuesday as schoolchildren and teachers rescued from kidnappers reunited with their families after spending 56 days in captivity.

Parents, who had gathered at the hospital from the early hours of the day, broke into tears, prayers and songs of thanksgiving as medical officials cleared the victims for discharge.

The emotional scenes unfolded after the Chief Medical Director of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Prof. Olawale Olakulehin, announced the names of those certified medically fit to return home.

As each name was called, relatives rushed forward to embrace their loved ones, with many parents weeping uncontrollably after weeks of uncertainty. Some mothers knelt in gratitude, while others lifted their children into their arms for the first time since they were abducted.

Several parents thanked President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, security agencies, religious leaders and Nigerians for their support and prayers during the victims’ ordeal.

One of the rescued teachers, Mary Dahunsi, who left the hospital carrying her baby, expressed gratitude for surviving the experience.

“We thank God for preserving our lives. We appreciate President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, the security agencies, clerics and Nigerians for standing by us and praying for our safe return,” she said.

Despite the trauma, some parents said they had no plans to leave their communities, insisting they had nowhere else to relocate.

Prof. Olakulehin disclosed that 31 of the 39 rescued pupils had been discharged, while eight remained under medical observation.

He also revealed that doctors discovered a congenital heart defect in one of the children during routine medical examinations, adding that the condition was previously unknown to the child’s family. He said the hospital would notify the Oyo State Government to facilitate further treatment.

The hospital received 44 rescued victims, including pupils and teachers, from the state government on Monday for comprehensive medical and psychological assessments before reuniting them with their families.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L.A. Primary School and Community Grammar School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

They regained their freedom on July 10 after spending 56 days in captivity and were taken to the teaching hospital for medical evaluation before being discharged.