Nigeria President Tinubu Rejects Ransom in Oyo School Kidnapping, Secures Release

On May 15, armed kidnappers seized students and teachers from a school in Oriire, Oyo State. President Bola Tinubu met with traditional leaders, including Olubadan Rashidi Ladoja, and said the abductors demanded the release of their incarcerated members and a ransom. The government responded with a firm “no‑deal” stance, refusing to negotiate or pay money.

Security forces later rescued the hostages without ransom, an outcome praised by Olubadan Ladoja as a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against kidnapping. Ladoja thanked Tinubu, warned that the forest reserve spanning Oyo, Kwara and Niger states must remain under strong security presence to deter future attacks, and highlighted the broader threat from jihadist groups in neighboring Niger Republic, Burkina Faso and Mali.