By Our Oyo Corredpondent

The long abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have at last regained their freedom after spending nearly two months in captivity.

The victims were released on Friday, July 10, bringing relief to their families, the school community and residents.

Shortly after regaining her freedom, one of the school principals expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, thanking him, the Federal Government and security agencies for the efforts that led to their rescue.

She also appreciated everyone who prayed and supported the campaign for their safe return.

Recall that the victims were kidnapped on May 16 when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esinele community of Oriire Local Government Area.

During the attack, a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was killed, while pupils and teachers were taken into captivity.

Their release follows weeks of rescue efforts by security agencies and repeated appeals from families, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), community leaders and civil society groups. Authorities are expected to provide further details on the circumstances surrounding their release.

In a statement signed by Presidential spokesman,Bayo Onanuga,President Bola Tinubu had expressed profound joy at the successful rescue of the children and teachers from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, by the security forces.

President Tinubu praised the heroic efforts of the security agencies, especially the military, the DSS and the police, for working round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others.

He lamented the anguish that the children and their teachers, as well as members of their families and the entire nation, have experienced since the sad occurrence.

For cooperating with the Federal Government in all rescue efforts, the President commended the Oyo State Government and charged it to ensure adequate security around schools across the state.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and the arrest of eight of them.

“This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular. On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers.

“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered.

“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” Tinubu said.

The President has also directed that emergency agencies work with the Oyo State Government to provide all necessary medical and relief support to the children and the teachers with immediate effect.

Meanwhile,some of collaborators with the criminals had been arrested which weakened the hold of the criminals on their captives.

Also, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Oyo State Chapter commends the Federal and Oyo State Governments for their coordinated, and successful efforts that led to the safe release of the students and teachers abducted from Orire Local Government Area.Oyo state.

In a statement by the Chairperson Comrade Omolola Alamu , Oyo Nawoj said,”We received the news of their release with immense relief and gratitude. The agonizing days of uncertainty were a trying period for the families, the school community, and all people of goodwill in Oyo State.

“The proactive security response by federal and state security agencies whose intelligence and rescue operations ensured the students returned home alive and unharmed.”
Oyo Nawoj also commended the political will and leadership demonstrated by both the Federal and State Governments in prioritizing the safety of children and refusing to bow to criminal elements.

The Association also appreciated the collaboration with community stakeholders, traditional rulers, and civil society which proved vital in securing the release.

It said, “mothers, journalists, and advocates for women and children, Oyo Nawoj understands the trauma such incidents inflict. ”
The Association commended government for treating this as more than a security issue but as a humanitarian crisis requiring urgency and compassion.

Oyo Nawoj however appeals to government to Strengthen security architecture in schools across Oyo State, especially in rural and border LGAs like Orire.

The group pleaded with the Government to Provide psychosocial support for the released students and their families to aid recovery and to Prosecute the perpetrators to serve as deterrence and restore public confidence.

“The safe return of the Orire students reaffirms that when government acts decisively and collaboratively, lives are saved and hope is restored.

“Oyo NAWOJ stands in solidarity with the affected families and reiterates our commitment to responsible reporting that supports peace, child protection, and national unity.”

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) commends the Federal Government of Nigeria and Air Peace for the successful evacuation of Nigerians fleeing the latest wave of xenophobic violence in South Africa.

In a statement by HURIWA National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko,the prompt rescue operation has undoubtedly saved many innocent lives and reflects the government’s responsibility to protect its citizens wherever they may be.

HURIWA he said,”particularly applauds Air Peace for its patriotism and swift response in deploying a replacement aircraft after the original evacuation plane suffered a technical fault in Johannesburg. The airline’s commitment ensured that the operation proceeded without unnecessary delay despite the challenging circumstances.

“While the evacuation is commendable, HURIWA warns that bringing Nigerians home cannot and must not be the end of the matter. The recurring attacks on Nigerians and other African nationals in South Africa have become an intolerable pattern of violence, lawlessness and impunity that demands consequences beyond emergency evacuations.

“For far too long, hardworking Nigerians have built legitimate businesses, invested in properties, paid taxes and contributed to the South African economy, only to become targets of violent mobs who destroy their livelihoods, loot their investments and, in some cases, brutally take their lives. This cycle of violence has persisted for years with little accountability for the perpetrators and inadequate protection for victims.”

HURIWA therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately initiate high-level diplomatic engagements with the South African government to secure comprehensive compensation for every Nigerian whose business, home, investment or other legally acquired property was destroyed during the attacks. Families of Nigerians who lost their lives must equally receive justice and adequate compensation.

The association he said,”insists that the Nigerian government owes its citizens more than evacuation flights. It owes them justice, restitution and the assurance that their rights and dignity will be defended wherever they reside.

“Should the South African government fail to provide satisfactory compensation and credible guarantees against future attacks, Nigeria should immediately review its diplomatic relationship with South Africa. This should include the downgrading of diplomatic ties and the mobilisation of the African Union and other African governments to exert coordinated diplomatic pressure until justice is served.

“No nation that repeatedly fails to protect fellow Africans within its borders should expect business as usual from the rest of the continent. African solidarity cannot exist only in speeches while innocent Africans continue to suffer violent attacks without meaningful consequences.”

HURIWA further urged the Federal Government to establish a comprehensive database of Nigerians affected by the xenophobic attacks to facilitate documentation of losses and strengthen Nigeria’s demand for compensation through diplomatic and international legal channels.

“The association stands firmly with every Nigerian victim of xenophobic violence and calls on the Federal Government to match the courage it has shown in rescuing its citizens with equal determination in securing justice, compensation and lasting protection for them.

“Nigeria must make it unmistakably clear that while its citizens can be evacuated from danger, their rights, investments and dignity can never be abandoned, it said.

By Our Correspondent

South-West governance activist, Dr. Jackson Lekan Ojo, has urged Nigerians to jettison ethnic and religious sentiments and rally behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidency.

Ojo, who resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, about two years ago, said Atiku’s track record as Chairman of the National Economic Council remains unmatched and positions him to rescue Nigeria from its current hardship.

“We need an Atiku. We have seen what Atiku achieved when he was just ordinary Vice President and Head of the Economic Team. I would not be holding mobile phone today if not for his economic team,” he said.

The activist recalled that before Atiku’s tenure, Nigeria’s telecommunications sector was “battered,” but the economic team liberalized it without borrowing.

He added that the team also worked to secure debt relief for debts incurred by past military administrations.

“They did not borrow. Even the money the military administrations borrowed they worked towards it and the people wrote off our debts,” Ojo stated.

He said his personal experience under Atiku’s watch convinced him that competence, not connections, delivers results.

“It was during his period I got mobile phone, built house, bought car and achieved a lot of things without knowing anybody or lobbying anyone. But if you do government contract now you need to lobby to get your payment. Enough is enough,” he lamented.

Ojo expressed concern that many Nigerians are prioritizing tribe and religion over performance ahead of 2027.

He questioned the logic of regional voting, asking if Southerners buy fuel or food cheaper than Northerners.

“I was discussing with a friend and he said ‘why did you leave Bola Tinubu, Obi and you are supporting Atiku?’ I asked him ‘why did you leave Atiku and support either Tinubu or Obi?’ He said because Tinubu and Obi are from the South. I laughed and asked him as a Southerner where is that fueling station that you are buying petrol cheaper than a Northerner? He was dumbfounded,” Ojo said.

He described voting based on ethnicity or religion as “arrant nonsense” and “absolute stupidity,” arguing that Nigerians do not ask about the tribe or faith of pilots, lecturers, or market traders in their daily lives.