FG Arraigns Three Suspects Over Oyo School Kidnapping

The Federal Government has arraigned three suspects before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The defendants are facing terrorism-related charges filed by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Prosecutors allege that they participated in the coordinated attack on the schools in May 2026, during which dozens of pupils and teachers were kidnapped. The allegations remain before the court and have not yet been proven.

The arraignment comes days after joint security agencies successfully rescued 45 surviving pupils and teachers, who spent 58 days in captivity. According to the Federal Government, the massive rescue operation involved the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, as well as local hunters and vigilantes. Authorities stated that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation, while several others were killed. They also maintained that no ransom was paid and no prisoner exchange took place.

The victims were originally abducted on 15 May 2026, when armed men targeted three schools in the Oriire district simultaneously, holding a total of 46 individuals. One teacher was tragically killed by the abductors during the period of captivity. The incident sparked widespread public concern, leading to protests by teachers and temporary school closures across parts of Oyo State.

Security agencies have previously linked the attack to suspected members of the extremist group Ansaru. However, it remains the responsibility of the court to determine the criminal liability of the accused persons based on the evidence presented during the trial.

The matter has been adjourned for further proceedings as the prosecution begins presenting its case. Until a verdict is delivered, the three defendants remain presumed innocent under Nigerian law.