Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security agencies for the successful rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire, Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Friday, Uzodimma described the operation as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting the lives of Nigerians, noting that the victims regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.
The Governor expresses delight that the schoolchildren and their teachers were reunited with their families unharmed, without the payment of ransom or any concession to their abductors.
He congratulates the parents of the victims as well as the Government and people of Oyo State, saying the successful rescue reflected the nation’s resolve not to abandon its citizens.
According to him, the operation followed a direct directive from President Tinubu and was executed by a joint task force comprising the Armed Forces and intelligence and security agencies.
Uzodimma said the security operatives dismantled the kidnappers’ network, arrested eight suspects, and secured the unconditional release of all the captives.
He stated that the development underscores the President’s determination to ensure the safety of every Nigerian and warned that criminal elements involved in kidnapping and terrorism would neither find refuge nor escape justice.
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The Governor also commended the security personnel who spent weeks in the forest during the rescue operation, describing their dedication and sacrifice as commendable.
“As Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, I assure the President that the Progressive Governors stand firmly behind him and our security agencies in the continuing work of ridding our country of terrorism,” he said.
Uzodimma further expressed solidarity with the rescued children, their teachers, and their families, while wishing them a speedy recovery from the trauma of their ordeal.
