The Commonwealth Students’ Association (CSA) has issued a Statement of Commendation to the Government of Nigeria following the rescue of all 46 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, on 15th May, 2026. The victims were freed on 10th July 2026, after 56 days in captivity.
The rescue was carried out by a coalition of Nigerian security agencies without concession to the kidnappers’ demands, which had included ransom payment and the release of detained terrorist commanders. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with the abduction.
Welcoming the outcome, the CSA President, Francis Azubuike, AIoL, said:
We commend the Government of Nigeria for holding firm and bringing these children and teachers’ home. This is a moment of relief for the entire Commonwealth student community. But relief must translate into action. Schools in rural and remote communities across Nigeria, and across the Commonwealth, remain dangerously exposed, and the time for structural, lasting solutions is now.
The CSA has drawn the attention of the Nigerian government and all Commonwealth Member States to the Commonwealth Student Safety and Security Agreement, ratified by the CSA Congress on 26th October 2024, as a practical framework for preventing future attacks. The CSA specifically urges implementation of provisions relating to dedicated security presence in school zones (Article I), emergency response protocols for active threats (Article II), enhanced intelligence capacity to intercept groups targeting rural schools (Article IV) and sustained psychosocial support for students who have experienced trauma (Article XII).
The CSA also called on the political community across the Commonwealth to treat schools as sacred and non-negotiable, warning that political inaction and inadequate resourcing of school security are conditions that enable attacks of this nature.
The Association acknowledged with sorrow the death of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher who was executed by his captors during the period of captivity and extended its condolences to his family and the Oriire community.
Download our full statement below
