After 56 days in captivity, the pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire in Oyo State have regained their freedom following a security operation that led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to Onanuga, the rescue operation was carried out by Nigerian security agencies, resulting in the safe release of the victims without conceding to the kidnappers’ demands.
He revealed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while several other members of the gang were neutralised.
Onanuga stressed that the Federal Government did not negotiate or make any concessions to secure the victims’ release.
“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,” he stated.
He added that one of the notorious kingpins whose release had been demanded by the kidnappers remains in detention and is facing prosecution for alleged criminal 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 a full account soon,” Onanuga said.
The successful operation brings to an end the 56-day ordeal of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers, with further details of the rescue expected from security agencies.
Tags: Oyo Kidnapping, DSS, Bayo Onanuga, School Abduction, Security Operations
