NANS Calls for Federal Support Programme for Rescued Oyo Pupils and Teachers

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urged the Federal Government to establish a special intervention programme, including scholarships, trauma counselling, medical care and rehabilitation, for pupils and teachers rescued after 56 days in captivity in Oyo State.

The students’ body made the appeal on Friday in an open letter signed by its South-West Zone D Coordinator, Adeyemo Josiah, shortly after the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State following 56 days in captivity.

While congratulating President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies for securing the victims’ release, the association stressed that the rescue should mark the beginning—not the end—of government support for those affected by the traumatic incident.

According to the association, although Nigerians have every reason to celebrate the safe return of the victims, greater attention must now be directed towards helping them recover from the physical, emotional and psychological impact of their prolonged captivity.

In the statement, NANS said, “While we celebrate this remarkable achievement, we respectfully make a passionate appeal to the Federal Government.” The association argued that the rescued children, teachers and their families would require sustained support to fully recover and rebuild their lives after the traumatic experience.

The students’ body noted that the Federal Government had over the years committed enormous resources to the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant insurgents and former terrorists, insisting that innocent victims of terrorism deserved at least the same level of attention and care.

According to NANS, “Children who have endured weeks in captivity, teachers subjected to unimaginable psychological trauma, and families left emotionally devastated deserve comprehensive rehabilitation and long-term support.”

To address the needs of the victims, the association proposed the establishment of a special intervention programme dedicated to survivors of terrorism and violent attacks.

It recommended that the initiative should include comprehensive trauma counselling and psychological support, free medical treatment, educational assistance, full scholarships for affected pupils, academic rehabilitation programmes, and economic support for families whose livelihoods were disrupted by the incident.

The association also advocated long-term monitoring of victims to ensure they are successfully reintegrated into society and do not continue to suffer the emotional consequences of their ordeal without professional support.

Emphasising the need for a victim-centred approach, NANS stated that “The victims of terrorism should never receive less attention than those who once perpetrated or supported acts of terror.”

The association commended President Tinubu and Governor Makinde for what it described as effective collaboration with security agencies that ultimately led to the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.

It also praised the National Security Adviser, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the DSS, the Police, the NSCDC and other security agencies for sustaining intelligence-led operations that culminated in the release of the captives after nearly two months in the kidnappers’ den.

According to NANS, the successful rescue should send a strong message to criminal elements operating in the South-West that acts of terrorism, kidnapping and attacks on educational institutions will not be tolerated.

The association declared, “The South-West of Nigeria is not, and will never become, a safe haven for terrorism,” while urging security agencies to sustain ongoing operations against criminal groups threatening schools and communities.

NANS further pledged its readiness to collaborate with governments, educational institutions, security agencies and community leaders to promote public awareness, intelligence sharing, youth engagement and peaceful coexistence as part of broader efforts to strengthen school safety across the country.

The appeal followed the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted on May 15, 2026, after gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School, Esiele; and Community Grammar School, Esiele, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Although the successful operation brought relief to families and the nation, the crisis claimed the lives of two teachers, while the rescued pupils and their colleagues are expected to undergo rehabilitation and trauma recovery before returning fully to normal academic activities.

According to NANS, providing scholarships, counselling and academic reintegration for the rescued pupils would not only aid their recovery but also reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to protecting every child’s right to safe and uninterrupted education.