President Bola Tinubu has expressed delight over the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, commending security agencies for what he described as a professionally executed operation that secured their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
In a statement issued on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for working tirelessly to secure the victims’ release without collateral damage.
According to the President, the operation also led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, while several others were neutralised during the rescue mission.
He acknowledged the trauma endured by the abducted children, their teachers, their families and the nation throughout the period of their captivity. “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.
The President described the operation as a major breakthrough that ended more than 50 days of anxiety and brought relief to the affected families and the country.
“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.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that those responsible for the abduction and the killing of Mr. Oyedokun during the incident would be brought to justice. “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.
He also commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue operation and urged the state to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents.
“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” he said.
The President further directed relevant emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide comprehensive medical care, psychosocial support and other relief assistance to the rescued pupils and teachers as they recover from their ordeal.
