The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) for the 2027 general election, Omoyele Sowore, and a faction of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki have welcomed the release of pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing their freedom as a major relief while urging authorities to strengthen security to prevent similar incidents.

The victims, who were kidnapped from their schools on May 15, regained their freedom following a security operation coordinated by government authorities.

Reacting to the development, Sowore expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to securing the victims’ release.

He wrote: “The teachers and children abducted from Orire in Ogbomoso in Oyo State have all been released!

“My heartfelt gratitude and best regards to everyone who worked tirelessly and contributed in one way or another to making their release possible.”

Similarly, the PDP, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, welcomed the safe return of the victims and commended all those involved in the rescue efforts.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) welcomes the safe return of the students and teachers who were kidnapped in Oyo State some months ago,” the statement read.

“Although details of the rescue remain limited, we commend the Federal Government, Oyo State government, security agencies and all individuals and organisations whose efforts contributed to the safe return of the victims. No one should be subjected to such trauma in the pursuit of education.”

The opposition party, however, urged the Federal Government to adopt stronger measures to prevent future kidnappings, stressing that safeguarding lives and property remains the government’s foremost constitutional responsibility.

“We call on the Federal Government to take decisive steps to prevent a recurrence of such heinous acts. The protection of lives and property remains the first responsibility of government and is the irreducible minimum that our country and its citizens deserve,” the statement added.

The rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers has continued to attract reactions from political leaders, civil society groups and members of the public, many of whom have praised the security agencies while calling for sustained efforts to curb kidnapping and ensure the safety of schools across the country.