Parents of the 39 pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity following the terrorist attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have expressed fears that their children may never return to the affected schools unless the government provides adequate security.
The concerns were voiced days after the victims regained their freedom through a month-long military operation. Relatives of the rescued pupils said the traumatic experience has left many families unwilling to risk sending their children back to the same schools where they were abducted.
The pupils, alongside seven teachers including a school principal, were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when terrorists attacked Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele. They were held captive in forests around the Old Oyo National Park before security forces secured their release after 56 days. Two teachers were killed during the attack.
Speaking on behalf of one of the affected families, Fausat Akindele said the abduction had fundamentally changed parents’ perception of safety in the schools.
“What happened has changed everything for us. We thank God that our children are back, but the fear is still there. Parents need to be convinced that the schools are now safe before they can comfortably allow their children to return.”
Another relative, Basirat Adigun, said although the families appreciated the efforts that secured the children’s freedom, security assurances must come first.
“No parent wants to take any risk after what these children went through. We appreciate the efforts that brought them back, but we need to see concrete security measures around the schools and the communities before we can think of returning them.”
Also speaking, Adenike, whose sister’s children were among those abducted, said emotional healing must precede any decision on resuming school.
“Although education remains important, the emotional well-being of the children and my sister’s confidence in their safety must come first before any decision is made on their return to the school.
“There is a need to recover from the experience. Returning to the same environment immediately will be difficult unless everyone is certain that adequate protection is in place.”
Reacting to the growing concerns, Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, acknowledged that parents’ fears were justified, describing the ordeal as a nightmare no family should experience.
“It is understandable if parents do not want to send their children back to those schools.
“As human beings, the emotional trauma which they have undergone will ordinarily not allow them to freely release their children to further their education because of the nightmare.”
He said many parents might prefer relocating their children to other schools despite the inconvenience.
“Many parents may be willing to bear the considerable logistical inconvenience of transferring their children to other schools, but they would be comfortable dealing with that.
“As a government, we understand what they have gone through for 56 nightmarish days. When they see the government’s efforts in providing security and securing the schools and surrounding communities, they should be able to change their minds.”
Oyelade disclosed that the state government had already begun implementing measures to strengthen security and improve infrastructure around the affected schools.
“The state government has already taken steps and mapped out further interventions. We will provide the infrastructure, which is our mandate, through the Ministry of Education to promote the welfare and well-being of all citizens. The process has started.
“Security is primarily the responsibility of the Federal Government. If both levels of government work in tandem, we should overcome the initial and understandable fears and anxieties of these parents.”
With many families now contemplating transferring their children elsewhere, the fate of the affected schools may depend largely on how quickly authorities can restore confidence by guaranteeing the safety of pupils, teachers and surrounding communities.
