In a major victory for Nigeria’s internal security architecture, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the successful rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers who were violently abducted from the Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
The daring, intelligence-driven operation brought a grueling 56-day hostage crisis to an end with zero casualties recorded among the rescued victims.
The Breakthrough Operation: No Quid Pro Quo
In an official statement released on Friday evening by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency firmly clarified that no ransom or policy concessions were granted to the bandits to secure the victims’ release.
According to Onanuga, the kidnappers had aggressively demanded the release of an imprisoned terrorist kingpin as a condition for a swap deal. The Federal Government flatly rejected the demand, and the kingpin remains in state custody where he is actively being prosecuted for his atrocities.
The joint security mission—spearheaded by the Nigerian Military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force—worked round-the-clock to track down the network.
The Operational Outcome:
- Victims Rescued: All remaining pupils and teachers were successfully pulled out of captivity alive after nearly two months in the forest.
- Terrorists Neutralised: Several members of the kidnap syndicate were killed during the heavy tactical shootout.
- Suspects Detained: Eight of the operational kidnappers were successfully arrested alive and are currently being interrogated in DSS custody.
Justice for the Fallen
While celebrating the safe return of the children, President Tinubu expressed the nation’s profound grief over the emotional trauma suffered by the affected families and paid a somber tribute to a victim who didn’t make it back.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” President Tinubu vowed.
The President highly commended the Oyo State Government for its seamless cooperation with federal security units throughout the 50-plus day standoff. However, he strongly urged the state authorities to immediately scale up defensive security infrastructure around local schools to permanently prevent similar threats.
Rehabilitation and Care
To ensure the victims are fully supported, the Presidency has directed federal emergency response agencies to collaborate immediately with the Oyo State Government. A specialized medical and mental health team has been deployed to provide comprehensive medical checkups, emergency psychological care, and deep trauma relief support to help the rescued pupils and teachers process the horrors of their captivity.
A full, detailed account of the operational raid is expected to be released by the joint security command shortly.
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