Kidnappers arrested as abducted Oyo pupils rescued

The 46 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State have regained their freedom, 56 days after the incident. Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this in a post on his X handle on Friday, also disclosing that eight of the suspected kidnappers were arrested while others were killed during the operation. “Finally, all the […]

The 46 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State have regained their freedom, 56 days after the incident.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this in a post on his X handle on Friday, also disclosing that eight of the suspected kidnappers were arrested while others were killed during the operation.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he posted.

Weekend Trust reports that terrorists abducted 46 pupils and teachers in a coordinated attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.

The abduction happened at the same period schoolchildren were abducted from a school in Borno State, who are still in captivity.

The crisis worsened days later when one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by the kidnappers.

The incident sparked widespread outrage, leading to nationwide protests by members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and other stakeholders, who demanded urgent action.

Reports had emerged that the terrorists had made several demands, including the implementation of Sharia law, the payment of N1 billion into an account in the Benin Republic, and the release of some of their leaders currently standing trial.

However, one of the victims, Mrs Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, dismissed claims in another video released from captivity that the kidnappers demanded a N1 billion ransom or the imposition of Sharia law in Nigeria.

Weekend Trust reports that calls for rescue efforts and negotiations intensified following a series of videos in which Mrs Alamu appealed to authorities to urgently negotiate their release.

Many Nigerian celebrities have also used their platforms to call on the government and security agencies to expedite efforts to secure the victims’ freedom

The incident also prompted the federal government to dispatch a high-powered delegation to the affected communities in Oyo State.

During the visit, the delegation announced that President Bola Tinubu had approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State in collaboration with the state government to strengthen security around forest areas.

The president also directed the deployment of a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

 

8 kidnappers arrested, others killed – Presidency 

The Presidency yesterday revealed that eight kidnappers were arrested while several others were neutralised during the operation that secured the freedom of the 46 pupils and teachers.

Onanuga disclosed the outcome of the rescue operation in an update posted on his X account, describing the mission as a major success by Nigeria’s security agencies.

According to Onanuga, the operation ended without any concession to the kidnappers.

He stated: “Updated: In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised.”

Onanuga added that more details of the operation would be made public by the relevant security agencies.

“The security agencies will give full account soon,” he added.

 

Tinubu excited, thanks security operatives 

President Bola Tinubu has expressed joy at the successful rescue of the children and teachers. 

A statement by Onanuga said Tinubu praised the “heroic efforts of the security agencies, especially the military, the DSS and the police, for working round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others.”

According to him, Tinubu regretted the anguish the children and their teachers, as well as members of their families and the entire country, experienced since the sad occurrence.

He said the president commended the Oyo State Government for cooperating with the federal government in all rescue efforts.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and 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. On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers. 

“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered. 

“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” the president said. 

Tinubu was quoted to have also directed that the emergency agencies work with the Oyo State Government to provide all necessary medical and relief support to the children and the teachers. 

 

Oyo govt hails rescue as victory for principled leadership

The Oyo State Government, in its reaction, described the rescue of the pupils and teachers as a victory for resilience and principled leadership.

The Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in a statement, noted that the government expressed gratitude that the victims had regained their freedom after weeks in captivity.

“We are happy to report to our people in Oyo State that our children and teachers at Oriire have been released from captivity,” he said.

The commissioner said the successful release marked a significant test of the government’s resolve against criminal elements.

He said the government remained committed to resisting the payment of ransom despite pressure to adopt what it described as a “quick-fix” approach.

Oyelade said that by refusing to throw money at bandits to secure a temporary solution, Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration had demonstrated courage and a long-term commitment to tackling kidnapping and banditry.

He said that yielding to ransom demands would only encourage criminals and strengthen their operations.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of residents while continuing to work with security agencies to rid Oyo State of kidnapping and other criminal activities.

 

Our priority now is rehabilitation, family reunion for rescued abductees – Makinde 

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has said the immediate priority of his administration is to ensure the safe reunion of the rescued children and teachers with their families, while providing them with the support needed to recover from their ordeal.

The governor disclosed this in a post on his official X handle following the rescue of the victims, who regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.

Makinde expressed gratitude over their safe return, describing it as a welcome development.

“Our priority now is to ensure that they are reunited with their families and support their rehabilitation after this traumatic experience,” the governor said.

He also commended the security agencies involved in the rescue operation for their commitment and sacrifices, acknowledging the efforts that led to the victims’ release.

The governor paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives during the operation, praying for the repose of their souls and asking God to comfort their families.

 

‘We are still alive because of you,’ freed principal tells Tinubu

 Meanwhile, one of the victims rescued from captivity, Mrs Rachael Alamu, the principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed  Tinubu and security agencies for securing their release.

In a 38-second video shared by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on his X handle, Alamu thanked the president for his commitment to their safety and praised security operatives for their efforts during the rescue operation.

“Hello sir, our father, we are grateful. We understand your commitment to our safety and we appreciate all you did for us. We could see it in your heart. Thank you very much,” she said.

She also commended the security agencies, saying their dedication made their freedom possible.

“Every security operative tried so much; and that is why we are still alive now. We are very grateful to you. Thank you very much. Thank you sir,” Alamu added.