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President Tinubu Hails Military, DSS, Police For Rescue Operation As Eight Kidnappers Arrested, Others Neutralised

It was a moment of profound relief that rippled across the nation on Friday as the Presidency confirmed the safe rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, ending a harrowing 56-day siege that had gripped the country in anguish.

The operation, which involved coordinated efforts by the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the police, resulted in the arrest of eight kidnappers who are now in DSS custody, while several others were neutralised during the rescue mission, according to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.

“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 wrote in a follow-up post on his verified X handle on Friday.

In a decisive rejection of terrorist demands, the Presidency confirmed that no concession was made to secure the victims’ freedom. The kingpin whose release the kidnappers had insisted upon remains in prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.

“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give full account soon,” Onanuga stated.

The abductions occurred on May 15 when gunmen stormed three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Orire Local Government Area, killing a teacher at the scene and later beheading another in a video that triggered national outrage and widespread condemnation.

President Commends Security Forces

President Bola Tinubu, in a State House press release, expressed profound gratitude to the security forces for what he described as a “heroic” operation that secured the release of the children and their teachers without any collateral damage.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, 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 the arrest of eight of them,” President Tinubu said.

The President acknowledged the collective national anguish, regretting “the anguish that the children and their teachers, as well as members of their families and the entire nation, have experienced since the sad occurrence.”

“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.”

Justice and Support

President Tinubu made a firm commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and their families, particularly for the family of Mr Oyedokun, the teacher who was gruesomely murdered by the terrorists.

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

Commending the Oyo State Government for its cooperation throughout the rescue efforts, President Tinubu charged the state authorities to ensure adequate security around schools across the state.

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

The President has directed emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide all necessary medical and relief support to the children and the teachers as they begin their recovery from the traumatic ordeal.

Onanuga added that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation, promising full transparency on the details of the rescue mission that brought an end to one of the most challenging hostage situations in recent Nigerian history.