Nigerians have set aside their political, ethnic and religious differences to celebrate an incident that tested everyone’s emotions.
For fifty-six agonising days, Nigeria held its breath.
Every sunrise came with the same unanswered questions.
Were they still alive?
Were they eating?
Were they warm enough through the relentless rains?
Were the little children still crying for their mothers?
Would they ever see home again?
This morning, those painful questions were finally replaced by tears of relief, heartfelt thanksgiving and joyful embraces.
The abducted pupils and teachers from Oyo State are finally free.
The forests that held them captive for nearly two months have finally released them.
Across Oyo State and beyond, homes that had known only silence, anxiety and sleepless nights erupted in celebration. Parents who had prepared themselves for the worst have once again held their children. Families who refused to stop praying have witnessed their miracle.
For nearly two months, an entire nation carried these children in its heart.
Their names became our prayers.
Their suffering became our collective burden.
Today, their freedom has become our collective joy.
One of the most touching moments following the rescue came from the principal, Mrs. Rachael Folawe Alamu, who thanked President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces and all the security agencies whose coordinated efforts made the rescue possible. Her words reflected the gratitude of countless parents whose hope never died.
Yet, amid the celebration, one chair remains painfully empty.
One family will not experience the joy of reunion.
One teacher paid the ultimate price.
Rest in Peace, Mr. Michael Oyedokun
The happiness of today is forever tempered by the heartbreaking loss of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, the Mathematics teacher who was brutally murdered while in captivity.
His death shocked the nation.
He was more than a teacher.
He was a mentor.
A guide.
A father figure to many of his students.
A man who dedicated his life to shaping young minds, only to have his own life cruelly taken by those who despise learning, peace and humanity.
May Almighty God grant him eternal rest.
May He comfort his family, friends, colleagues and students whose hearts will forever bear this painful scar.
May his sacrifice never be forgotten.
And may his memory strengthen our collective resolve that no Nigerian teacher should ever again become a victim simply for answering the noble call to educate children.
Freedom Is Only the Beginning
While the chains of captivity have been broken, another journey now begins.
The journey of healing.
Many of these children have experienced trauma beyond their years.
Some may wake from terrifying nightmares.
Some may panic at the sound of motorcycles.
Some may fear entering a classroom again.
Others may struggle to trust strangers or sleep peacefully.
Their teachers also carry invisible wounds.
For fifty-six days they became more than educators.
They became protectors.
Comforters.
Counsellors.
Parents to frightened children while silently carrying their own fears.
These children and teachers deserve comprehensive medical examinations, nutritional support, trauma counselling and long-term psychosocial care.
Not every wound is visible.
Some of the deepest wounds are carried silently in the mind.
Healing must therefore extend beyond the body.
It must also restore confidence, peace and hope.
A Salute to Nigeria’s Brave Security Forces
Today belongs not only to the rescued families.
It also belongs to the courageous men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, Amotekun Corps, local hunters and every security operative whose professionalism, courage and sacrifice made this rescue possible.
Operations of this magnitude demand extraordinary patience, intelligence, discipline and bravery.
Many of these officers willingly walked into danger so innocent children could walk back into the arms of their parents.
Nigeria salutes their gallantry.
To those who sustained injuries during the operation, we pray for speedy recovery.
To those who paid the supreme price in defending our nation, may their sacrifice never be forgotten.
Their courage reminds us that true heroes often wear uniforms stained not with glory but with sacrifice.
Hope Returns to Nigerian Classrooms
This rescue sends an important message to every Nigerian child.
Do not surrender your dreams to fear.
Your education remains your greatest weapon against poverty, ignorance and violence.
Schools are where Nigeria’s future is built.
The enemies of our nation seek to replace books with fear.
We must never allow them to succeed.
Parents who have lived in constant anxiety can breathe again.
Teachers can begin to rebuild confidence.
Children can once again believe that school is a place of learning—not of terror.
May This Be the Beginning of the End
The successful rescue of these pupils and teachers should renew our confidence that, working together, Nigeria can confront those who threaten our peace.
While the security challenges facing our country remain significant, today’s victory reminds us that perseverance, intelligence, cooperation and determination can prevail over evil.
May this operation mark the beginning of the end of school kidnappings.
May our forests cease to be places of captivity.
May every family still waiting for a missing loved one receive good news.
May every hostage still held across Nigeria regain freedom.
May every child return safely to the classroom.
For fifty-six days, these children belonged to the forest.
Today, they belong once again to their families.
To their schools.
To their communities.
And to a grateful nation that never stopped praying for them.
Welcome home, dear children.
Welcome home, courageous teachers.
Nigeria rejoices with you.
May your healing be complete.
May your laughter return.
May your dreams flourish once again.
And may the soul of Mr. Michael Oyedokun rest in perfect peace.
His light may have been extinguished by evil, but his legacy as a teacher will continue to shine in the lives he touched.
Rest well, gallant educator. Nigeria will remember you.
Chinenye Henrietta Olih writes from Lagos
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