President Bola Tinubu says the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo state has brought relief to the entire nation.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said in a statement on Friday that Tinubu “expressed profound joy” over the successful rescue of the victims.
Onanuga said the president commended the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the police “for working round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others.”
Onanuga said Tinubu also expressed regret over the suffering endured by the children, their teachers, their families, and the nation since the abduction.
The president praised the Oyo state government for working closely with the federal government throughout the rescue operation and urged the state to strengthen security around schools.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, 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,” the statement reads.
“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.
“On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered.
“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end.”
The president also directed emergency agencies to work with the Oyo state government to provide the rescued children and teachers with all necessary medical care and relief support.
Peoples Daily understands that the pupils and their teachers were rescued during a joint operation involving personnel of the Nigerian Army and the police, backed by intelligence from the DSS.
A security source said at least nine of the bandits were killed during the operation, while eight were arrested and are in the custody of the DSS.
On May 15, gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all in Oriire LGA.
The Oyo police command said two people were killed during the attack on the schools. At least 45 schoolchildren and teachers were reportedly kidnapped during the incident.
