Following the rescue of the abducted Oriire school teachers and students after 56 days in captivity, parents have expressed fear about returning their children back to classrooms.
They argued that the traumatic experience of spending 56 days in captivity had left families unwilling to take further risks despite the successful rescue of the victims.
The pupils, who were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, were among 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers, including a school principal, kidnapped when heavily armed terrorists attacked three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities on May 15, 2026.
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Two teachers were killed during the incident, while the survivors were taken into forests around the Old Oyo National Park before security forces rescued them on July 10 after an intensive multi-agency operation.
Speaking after the victims regained their freedom, some parents said although they remain grateful to God, the federal vovernment and security agencies for the rescue, the emotional scars left by the ordeal have made an immediate return to school difficult.
One parent said the fear among families remains overwhelming, stressing that parents must first be convinced the schools are secure before allowing their children to resume classes.
Another relative, Basirat Adigun, noted that no parent wants to expose a child to another similar experience, insisting that visible and effective security measures must be put in place around the affected schools and communities.
A family member identified as Adenike also emphasised that the emotional recovery of the children should take priority over academic activities, arguing that the victims and their families need time to heal before returning to the same environment where they were abducted.
Responding to the concerns, the Oyo State government acknowledged the fears of the affected families, saying rebuilding public confidence is now a major priority.
The government maintained that efforts are underway to restore trust and strengthen security around schools to ensure pupils can safely resume learning.
The abduction of the pupils and teachers triggered widespread outrage across the country and led to the closure of public schools in parts of Oyo State, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers embarking on a strike before suspending the action after the victims’ release.
