There was widespread relief on Friday as the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after days in captivity.

The development was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X handle.

Onanuga wrote, “Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been freed by their abductors.”

Shortly after the announcement, a video circulating online showed the freed victims expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and security operatives for securing their release.

In the video, some of the victims thanked the President for his intervention and commended the efforts of security agencies, saying they were grateful to have regained their freedom after the traumatic ordeal.

The development brought an end to days of anxiety for the victims’ families, colleagues and residents of the affected communities, who had waited in hope for their safe return.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government and security agencies had yet to disclose the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release, including whether any ransom was paid or whether their freedom was secured through negotiations or a rescue operation.

Details later.

The Senate on Thursday approved a total of ₦403.1 billion for the Nigerian Police Trust Fund for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years in a move aimed at strengthening policing and supporting the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.

The approval comes as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising cases of violent crimes, with many citizens calling for stronger security measures and better-equipped law enforcement agencies.

The upper chamber approved ₦170.1 billion for the Police Trust Fund’s 2025 budget and ₦233 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.

The approved 2026 appropriation covers personnel costs, capital projects and overhead expenditures designed to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force.

Lawmakers expressed optimism that the funding would improve the provision of critical equipment, operational infrastructure, training and other resources required to strengthen security operations and improve the country’s response to terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality.

The intervention is expected to boost the operational effectiveness of police personnel, who have repeatedly faced challenges ranging from inadequate equipment to poor logistics while combating insecurity.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a bill to the Senate seeking a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s criminal justice system through the repeal and reenactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and replace it with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s criminal justice framework and improve the administration of justice.

One of the major innovations contained in the bill is the establishment of a Criminal Justice Monitoring Council, which will oversee the implementation of the law in courts within the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts across the country.

In a letter read during plenary, Tinubu said the proposed legislation was intended to address procedural gaps and long-standing challenges that had slowed the dispensation of justice in Nigeria.

According to the President, the bill will also align Nigeria’s criminal justice system with modern realities by promoting the deployment of technology, introducing innovative legal processes and enhancing the effective implementation of the law by relevant institutions.

The proposed legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative consideration before its eventual passage.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District in the 2027 general election and member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has donated ₦20 million to victims of the recent fire outbreak at the Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, popularly known as Iso Alagbo, in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State, while assuring the affected traders of additional intervention from the Federal Government.

‎Oseni made the donation during a sympathy visit to the market on Monday, where he met traders whose shops, traditional herbs, medicinal products and other valuables were destroyed by the devastating inferno. His message of hope and support was contained in a statement issued by his Media Aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan.

The federal lawmaker said he visited the scene to personally identify with the victims, describing the incident as a painful tragedy that had wiped out years of hard work and investments, leaving many families devastated and uncertain about their future.

‎”Today, I visited the Bode Traditional Herbs and Other Products Market, popularly known as Iso Alagbo, to personally identify with our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who suffered devastating losses in the recent fire incident. Walking through the ruins and listening to the heartbreaking stories of the affected traders was deeply emotional,” Oseni said.

‎According to him, many of the traders watched helplessly as years of sacrifice and labour went up in flames, noting that what the victims lost extended far beyond goods and property.

‎”For many families, what was destroyed was not just merchandise but their means of livelihood and hope for a better tomorrow. I could see the pain in their eyes and hear the despair in their voices. This is a tragedy that calls for compassion and collective support,” he added.

The chairman , House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) stressed that leadership must be measured not only by words of sympathy but by practical actions capable of restoring hope to people in times of adversity.

‎”In moments like this, leadership must go beyond words of sympathy. It must be demonstrated through compassion, presence and meaningful support. That is why I have come not only to sympathise with the victims but also to stand with them through tangible assistance,” he said.

‎To cushion the immediate hardship occasioned by the disaster, the APC senatorial candidate  donated ₦20 million to the affected traders, acknowledging that while no amount of money could adequately compensate for the huge losses suffered, the intervention was intended to provide immediate relief and help many victims begin the difficult process of rebuilding their businesses.

‎The lawmaker also assured the victims that he would engage relevant authorities at the federal level to facilitate additional intervention for those affected, saying every available avenue would be explored to ensure the traders receive the support needed to recover from the unfortunate incident.

‎”We will continue to engage the appropriate authorities at the federal level to seek additional intervention and support for those affected. We will explore every available avenue to ensure our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters are not left alone to bear this burden. Together, we will overcome this challenge,” Oseni assured.

‎He commended the resilience of the affected traders despite the painful losses and prayed for divine restoration for every victim.

 “To every trader affected by this unfortunate incident, please know that you are not alone. Your resilience inspires us. I pray that Almighty God grants everyone the strength to recover, restores every loss and continues to protect our communities from tragedies of this nature. By His grace, hope will rise again, businesses will flourish again and brighter days will surely return,” he said.