Nigeria Senate approves N50 million for families of Oyo school kidnapping victims

On May 15 2026, armed kidnappers abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. The victims were held for 56 days before a joint security operation rescued them on July 10 2026. During the captivity two teachers were killed, and three security personnel died in the rescue mission.

In July, the Nigerian Senate approved a N50 million donation – N10 million for each of the five bereaved families – to support the families of the two slain teachers and the three fallen security operatives. Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised President Bola Tinubu and the armed forces for the operation and urged prompt payment of benefits to the victims’ families. Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi called for the immediate prosecution and public arraignment of the arrested suspects.

Governor Seyi Makinde’s request for a United Nations investigation into the abduction was rebuked by Senators Adams Oshiomhole and the Senate leadership, who described the demand as politically motivated and unstatesmanlike. Survivors, including a 15‑year‑old pupil, have spoken of their ordeal, while eight children and one teacher remain hospitalized for ongoing treatment.