President Bola Tinubu has expressed delight over the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Council of Oyo State, commending the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for ending the victims’ 56-day captivity.
The President’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu praised the security agencies for what he described as a painstaking, intelligence-led operation that secured the release of the victims without collateral damage, arrested eight of the suspected kidnappers and neutralised several others.
He also expressed sympathy with the victims, their families and the nation over the trauma caused by the abduction, describing the successful operation as a major relief after weeks of anxiety.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and led to the arrest of eight of them.
“This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular.
working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” the President said.
Tinubu also praised the Oyo State government for its collaboration with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts and urged the state to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar attacks.
He directed emergency response agencies to work closely with the Oyo State government to provide the rescued pupils and teachers with immediate medical attention, psychosocial care and other relief support required for their recovery.
Earlier, Onanuga had announced the rescue of the victims in a series of posts on his verified X handle, commending the efforts of the nation’s security agencies.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote.
Providing further details, the presidential spokesman disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the rescue operation and were in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while several others were killed in the operation.
He also dismissed speculation that the victims were released following negotiations involving the exchange of detained suspects.
