President Bola Tinubu has hailed the successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, after 56 days in captivity, commending security agencies for an operation that secured their freedom without casualties among the victims.
The President also vowed that those responsible for the abduction would face justice, following the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers and the killing of several others during the rescue operation.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu described the rescue as a major breakthrough in the government’s fight against kidnapping and terrorism.
He praised the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as their “heroic efforts” and round-the-clock operations that culminated in the safe release of the victims.
According to the President, the coordinated military, police and intelligence-led operation ended a 56-day ordeal for the abducted pupils and teachers and brought relief to their families and the nation.
“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 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,” Tinubu said.
He expressed sympathy for the trauma endured by the victims and their families during the period of captivity, describing the incident as a painful experience for the nation.
The President also pledged justice for the rescued victims and the family of Mr Oyedokun, who was reportedly killed by the abductors during the incident.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” he added.
Tinubu commended the Oyo State Government for working closely with the Federal Government and security agencies throughout the rescue efforts, describing the collaboration as instrumental to the success of the operation.
He further urged the state government to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar attacks in the future.
The President also directed relevant emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide immediate medical care, psychological support and other relief assistance to the rescued children and teachers.
The rescue marks the end of more than seven weeks of uncertainty following the abduction of the pupils and their teachers from Oriire community, a development that had heightened concerns over the safety of schools in Oyo State and renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect educational institutions.
The latest operation comes amid sustained efforts by security agencies to tackle kidnapping for ransom and attacks on schools, crimes that have become a major security challenge in parts of the country over the past several years. Successive mass abductions of students in states including Kaduna, Niger, Katsina and Zamfara have prompted the Federal Government to intensify military and intelligence operations, strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative and encourage closer collaboration between federal and state authorities to safeguard schools and communities.
