After 56 Days in Captivity, Freed Oyo Children Finally Run Into Their Parents’ Arms
The emotional return of the 39 freed schoolchildren to their teachers and families in Oyo State is the first step towards recovery for the children, but according to child protection advocates, the fight isn’t over.
The parents were brought together at the Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso where the children were taken into their custody following medical and psychological examinations. A number of tears, prayers, and hugs filled the hospital as the children were brought home after being held captive for almost two months.
Thirty-one of the released students were medically cleared by the authorities at their hospital and released, but eight students were observed medically. As part of the routine exams, doctors also found that one child had a congenital heart defect, which was not known to the family before. The discovery highlights the need to conduct comprehensive medical check-up on children after traumatic experiences.
On 15th May 2026, armed men stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) of Oyo state and abducted the children and six teachers. They were released free on July 10 and were rushed to the LAUTECH for medical treatment and psychological assessment before returning to their families.
Child protection experts emphasise that returning home is only the first step in the healing process. They highlight the importance of maintaining children’s access to health services, family counselling and safe learning environments to assist with the recovery from trauma and reintegration into communities and schools.
