The release followed months of operations involving security forces from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

Sources familiar with the matter told this medium that the abductees were freed on Friday evening and that some terrorists were killed in the process.

Several news media reported that a total of 46 people—consisting of 39 students and seven teachers—were kidnapped when terrorists simultaneously raided Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community High School (Ahoro-Esinele), and L.A. Primary School (Ahoro-Esinele) in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.