Trauma Keeps Rescued Oriire Pupils Away as Parents Reject School Return

• Families say 56-day captivity has left children emotionally scarred despite their rescue.
• Parents consider transferring pupils to new schools, insisting stronger security must come first.
• Oyo Government acknowledges fears, vows improved security and infrastructure in affected communities.

Parents of pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity have said they are unwilling to return their children to the schools where they were abducted, citing lingering trauma and fears over their safety.

Although the families expressed gratitude to God, the Federal Government, security agencies and everyone involved in securing the victims’ freedom, many insisted the psychological scars left by the ordeal remain too severe to allow an immediate return to the affected schools.

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The pupils and teachers were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, after terrorists invaded Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele, near Ogbomoso.

READ ALSO: Onanuga Faults Atiku’s Silence on Freed Oriire Pupils, Hails Obi

The attackers abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, and took them into forests around the Old Oyo National Park, where they remained in captivity for 56 days. Two teachers were killed during the attack before security operatives eventually rescued the remaining victims.

Despite the successful rescue, several parents said the experience had fundamentally changed their confidence in the safety of the schools, with many now considering relocating their children to other institutions.

A relative of one of the victims, Fausat Akindele, said the incident had permanently altered parents’ perception of the affected schools.

“What happened has changed everything for us. We thank God our children are back, but the fear remains. Parents need convincing assurances that the schools are now safe before they can confidently allow their children to return,” she said.

Another family member, Basirat Adigun, described the ordeal as a painful experience that continues to haunt many parents.

“No parent wants to expose a child to another tragedy after what these children went through. We appreciate the efforts that secured their release, but we need to see concrete security measures around the schools and surrounding communities before considering their return,” she said.

Adenike, whose sister’s children were among the abductees, maintained that the emotional recovery of the children should take priority over academic activities.

“Education is important, but the children’s emotional well-being and parents’ confidence in their safety must come first. Returning them to the same environment immediately will be difficult unless there is certainty that adequate protection is in place,” she said.

Responding to the concerns, Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, said the parents’ fears were understandable given the traumatic experience they had endured.

He noted that many families might choose to move their children to other schools despite the inconvenience, adding that the government recognised the emotional burden they had carried for nearly two months.

Oyelade disclosed that the state government had already commenced improvements to infrastructure in the affected schools through the Ministry of Education while working to strengthen security around the communities.

He added that although school infrastructure falls under the state’s responsibility, security is largely the responsibility of the Federal Government, expressing confidence that closer collaboration between both levels of government would eventually restore public confidence and encourage parents to reconsider their decision.