President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from the Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, describing the operation as a major breakthrough in the country’s fight against insecurity.
The President commended the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force for the intelligence-led operation that secured the victims’ freedom after 56 days in captivity without recording any collateral damage.
Tinubu’s reaction was contained in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the coordinated operation not only secured the release of the kidnapped schoolchildren and their teachers but also resulted in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, while several members of the criminal gang were neutralised during the mission.
Expressing relief over the development, the President said the successful operation had brought an end to weeks of anxiety experienced by the victims, their families and Nigerians who had closely followed the incident.
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“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, 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,” Tinubu said.
Describing the rescue as a significant achievement for the nation’s security agencies, the President thanked members of the armed forces, intelligence services and the police for their professionalism and commitment in ensuring the safe return of the victims.
“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,” he added.
While celebrating the rescue, Tinubu assured Nigerians that those behind the abduction would be brought to justice, including those responsible for the killing of one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, who was murdered while in captivity.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr. Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” the President stated.
Tinubu also commended the Oyo State Government for its collaboration with security agencies throughout the rescue operation and urged the state authorities to reinforce security measures around schools to prevent similar attacks.
He further directed relevant emergency response agencies to work closely with the Oyo State Government to provide the rescued pupils and teachers with immediate medical attention, psychosocial support, relief materials and other assistance to aid their recovery and reintegration after their prolonged ordeal.
