Tinubu Identifies Ansaru as Perpetrator in Oyo School Abduction, Victims Rescued
President Bola Tinubu confirmed Ansaru's responsibility for the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State, while security forces successfully rescued the victims in a joint operation concluded on July 9, 2026.
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President Bola Tinubu has confirmed that the Islamist extremist group Ansaru was responsible for the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State. The announcement, made on July 10, 2026, identified the group as the perpetrator behind the mass kidnapping from a school in Orire Local Government Area, which occurred on May 15, 2026.
Nigerian security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers in an intelligence-led operation that concluded on July 9, 2026. According to Daily Trust, the Search and Rescue mission was conducted by a Joint Inter Agency Task Force under the direction of the Defence Headquarters, acting on a direct presidential mandate.
The rescue effort drew widespread political recognition. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied People’s Movement (APM) issued statements welcoming the safe return of the victims. Both opposition parties commended the Federal Government, the Oyo State government, and relevant security agencies for their roles in securing the release, as well as acknowledging contributions from individuals and organizations involved in the effort.
President Tinubu’s disclosure marks a significant development in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to combat extremist violence targeting educational institutions. Ansaru, a splinter faction of Boko Haram with known ties to Al-Qaeda, has previously claimed attacks in Nigeria’s northwest, but this incident underscores its potential reach into the southwest region.