A POST circulating on social media claims that the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oyo State regained their freedom after spending more than 170 days in captivity.
The post further alleges that the victims were freed through the efforts of Sunday Igboho and his security team, known as Iru Ekun.
It was shared by an X user, @HonestarsenalF, with the caption:
“The kidnapped Oyo pupils and teachers have regained their freedom after spending more than 170 days in the Den of bandits. Reports say they were freed with the help of Sunday Igboho and his team, (Iru Ekun). Some of the bandits involved were apprehended. The government has also promised to support every affected family and rebuild the school.”
As of July 11, the post has generated over 14,000 views, 19 reposts and over 100 likes.
READ: No, security operatives did not arrest pastor for supplying logistics to bandits in Oyo
CLAIM
Oyo State pupils and teachers were rescued by Sunday Igboho’s team after spending over 170 days in captivity.
FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.
The ICIR reported that the victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed men launched coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area.
The attackers abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers after killing one teacher during the assault before forcing the victims into the forest.
According to a statement released on July 10, 2026, by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma on behalf of the 2 Division Army Public Relations, the rescue was executed by troops of the Nigerian Army in collaboration with joint security forces.
Led by Major General CR Nnebeife, the multi-agency operation included officers from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Directorate of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilante groups who pressured the terrorists into unconditionally releasing the victims at the Old Oyo National Park Forest.
Even though media reports indicate that Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, joined the efforts at one point to assist in the search of abductees, deploying drones alongside his team to scan the Old Oyo National Park in support of the rescue operations, such effort could only complement those of the nation’s security forces.
READ ALSO: Video from Mali used to depict attack on Oyo community
Furthermore, a timeline verification reveals that the victims did not spend 170 days in captivity. The ICIR and other media outlets report that the abduction occured on May 15, 2026, and the victims were successfully rescued on July 10, 2026.
This indicates they spent exactly 56 days in captivity, contrary to the viral social media claim.
VERDICT
The claim that Sunday Igboho’s team rescued the Oyo pupils and teachers after 170 days is MISLEADING. Official records show the final operation that secured their freedom was executed by the Nigerian Army and joint security forces after the victims spent 56 days in captivity.
Seasoned writer and literary curator, Zainab Abdulrasaq is a factchecker for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached on IG @blackbookishgirl or zabdulrasaq@icirnigeria.org
