After spending 56 harrowing days in captivity, the pupils and teachers abducted by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have finally regained their freedom, bringing relief to their families and the nation.
President Bola Tinubu, who announced the successful rescue on Friday, said the operation was carried out through a coordinated military, police and intelligence-led mission that led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, while several others were killed.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised the armed forces, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force for rescuing the victims without any collateral damage.
Tinubu described the operation as the end of a painful 56-day ordeal that had left families anxiously waiting for the safe return of their loved ones.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists and led to the arrest of eight of them,” the President said.
He said the successful operation had brought relief not only to the affected families but also to the entire country.
The President also paid tribute to Michael Oyedokun, one of the abducted teachers who was beheaded by the terrorists a day after the abduction, promising that those responsible would face justice.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” Tinubu said.
He commended the Oyo State Government for working closely with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts and directed emergency response agencies to provide the rescued pupils and teachers with medical care, counselling and other necessary support to aid their recovery.
The victims were abducted on May 15 when terrorists belonging to Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Esiele, all in Oriire Local Government Area.
The attackers killed a teacher and abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal.
Security agencies later disclosed that the rescue mission was complicated by the difficult terrain of the Old Oyo National Park, where the terrorists frequently changed locations to evade troops.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded the release of two Boko Haram commanders in exchange for the victims, but the Federal Government rejected the demand and intensified rescue operations.
Friday’s successful operation has now brought an end to one of Oyo State’s most traumatic school abductions in recent years, allowing dozens of children and their teachers to finally reunite with their families after nearly two months in captivity.
