Relief as abducted Oyo pupils, teachers regain freedom — Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has welcomed the release of the schoolchildren and teachers who were kidnapped by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, describing it as a ‘big relief’.

“It’s such a big relief for all of us and for those that are waiting, you know, for this past 57 days,” Makinde said in a short interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.

“I think it’s a big relief for all of us, and we’ll use the opportunity to say thank you to our service commanders, the Nigeria Police, the DSS, the military, and the high command, and of course the President, for pushing really hard to have this done.

“I think I’m just right now overjoyed, and I cannot really say much. I will talk much later when I can put my thoughts together,” he added.

Fifty-seven days after terrorists abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Oyo State, the Presidency on Friday announced that all the victims had been rescued in a coordinated security operation.

The announcement was made by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State, have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga said in a post on X.

Onanuga disclosed that eight members of the kidnapping gang were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

He added that the rescue was carried out without granting any concession to the abductors, including their demand for the release of a notorious gang leader who remains in detention and is facing prosecution.

“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 was demanded by the kidnappers, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give full account soon,” Onanuga added.

A video shared alongside the statement showed one of the rescued teachers expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for securing their freedom.

“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 in this.

“Thank you very much. Every security operative tried so much, and that is why we are still alive today. We are very grateful to you. Thank you very much,” the teacher was heard saying.