46 Freed in Oyo School Kidnap, But Eda Oniyo Waits 21 Days for ₦1 Billion Ransom Answer

By Joseph Sunday 

The news broke with a sigh of relief in Ogbomoso. After weeks of fear, the 46 souls taken from Ahoro-Esinele, Yawota, Oniya, and Alawusa communities were finally home.

It started with gunmen storming Community High School Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. 

They left with 7 teachers, including the Principal, Mrs. Alamu Folawe and Vice Principal, Mr. Ojo Jonathan, and 39 students — children as young as 2-year-old, Christianah Akanbi and 3-year-old Sikiru Salami. One teacher and one student were killed in the attack.  

For days, parents in Ogbomoso kept vigils. Motorcycles were snatched from Yawota and the school compound as the gunmen escaped. 

Then came the word: “They have regained freedom.” Security agencies said operations had been intensified to secure their safe release, and one by one, the malnourished but alive children and teachers were brought to a government ceremony. No group claimed responsibility, but residents blamed armed gangs that target schools for ransom.  

The community exhaled. But 160 kilometers east in Ekiti, the air was still heavy.

Eda Oniyo: 21 Days of Waiting  

28th April, 2026. 10:30pm. Christ Apostolic Church No. 2, Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje LGA. 

A crusade turned to chaos when gunmen fired for over 30 minutes, killed a visiting pastor, and marched about 15 to 19 worshippers into the forest — including a mother and her three children, two nursing mothers with babies, and octogenarians.  

Now it’s 21 days later.

The Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, told reporters the kidnappers made contact: “They want ₦1 billion. They are also telling us that they are still on Eda land”. The demand hangs over a community where all 15 churches — Anglican, Deeper Life, SDA, Assemblies of God — shut their doors last Sunday to mourn.  

“What are you doing to secure the release?” That’s the question echoing from Eda Oniyo to Ado-Ekiti.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s government says it’s not silent. A “high-powered security delegation” led by Special Adviser on Security, Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd.), and CP Michael Falade visited the community for on-the-spot assessment. The government ordered the 148 Battalion of the Nigerian Army deployed to the area, with “full-scale surveillance operations” activated.  

Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, representing the governor, told the community: “This government will never abandon you. We will work hard to rescue those abducted alive”. She added that security agencies had commenced “full-scale surveillance operations” to track down the perpetrators.  

Yet fear rules. Traditional rulers have called for a ban on night church services, warning that late-night gatherings expose residents to danger. 

The Elewu of Ewu-Ekiti warned that “informants within communities could compromise rescue efforts” and urged security agencies to avoid publicizing bush-combing operations.  

Two Stories, One Country:  

In Ogbomoso, families are counting their children, treating trauma, thanking God. In Eda Oniyo, families are counting days — 21 and rising — waiting for a call that isn’t a ransom demand.  

The Ogbomoso release proves freedom is possible. For Ekiti, the state government insists “no stone would be left unturned” to rescue the abducted and bring perpetrators to justice. Joint teams of police, military, Amotekun, and vigilantes are still combing the forests.  

But as one resident put it: “Can people truly participate in democracy when they feel unsafe?”  

21 days in Eda Oniyo is still waiting for its breaking news of freedom.