The abducted pupils and teachers in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, have now been rescued by security forces from captivity.
Special Adviser the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this on Friday via his social media handles.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote.
Onanuga, who disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services.
He added that several other members of the gang were neutralised by security operatives during the operation.
According to him, the victims were rescued without the Federal Government acceding to the kidnappers’ demand for the release of a Boko Haram kingpin standing trial for terrorism.
“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.
“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue, as one of the terrorists, a kingpin whose release the kidnappers demanded, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give a full account soon,” Onanuga said.
In a video that surfaced after the victims’ release, the principal of Community High School, Esiele, Mrs Rachael Folawe, thanked the President and the security agencies for ensuring their safe return.
Surrounded by the rescued pupils and teachers, she said, “Hello, sir, our father, we are grateful. Mr President, sir, we are grateful. We understand your commitment to our safety, and we appreciate all you did for us. We could see your hand. Thank you very much.”
She also commended the military and other security agencies for their efforts.
“And every security operative, they tried so much and that is why we are still alive. We are very grateful to you. Thank you very much. May God continue to bless you,” she added, as the rescued pupils chorused, “Thank you.”
On May 15, terrorists belonging to Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru, struck three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, killing a teacher and abducting pupils and teachers.
The schools are Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Esiele.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were abducted during the attacks.
One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded the following day by the terrorists in a bid to deter security operatives pursuing them.
While the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government intensified efforts to rescue the victims, the difficult terrain of the Old Oyo National Park and the terrorists’ constant movement reportedly stalled the rescue operation.
The terrorists also reportedly demanded, about a month ago, the release of two Boko Haram commanders, Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also known as Mallam Mamuda, in exchange for the pupils and teachers.
