By: Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
All pupils and teachers kidnapped from the Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State have been rescued after 56 days in captivity, with security forces arresting eight suspected kidnappers and neutralizing many others during a joint operation.
The Presidency announced the rescue on Friday, stating that the victims were freed through a coordinated effort involving the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force.
According to the statement, eight suspected kidnappers are now in DSS custody, while others were neutralized during the raid.
The Presidency also added that no ransom was paid, and no negotiations took place to secure the release, despite the abductors’ demand for the release of one of their detained kingpins, who is currently facing prosecution.
This successful rescue ended weeks of anxiety in Oyo State following the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire LGA on May 15.
Reacting to the development, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde called the rescue “a big relief” for the families of the victims and the residents of the state.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu, the military, the police, the DSS, and other security agencies for securing the victims’ freedom.
President Tinubu also praised the security agencies for executing the operation without collateral damage and instructed emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and support to the rescued pupils and teachers.
The abduction occurred just hours after Governor Makinde announced his intention to run for president in 2027.
“For seven years, we didn’t witness anything like this in Oyo State. I declared to run for the presidency of Nigeria at four o’clock, and by 9 a.m. the following morning, the children were abducted,” Makinde said while meeting with Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and leaders of the Allied Peoples Movement in Bauchi.
Makinde officially declared his presidential ambition on May 14 during a joint rally of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Allied Peoples Movement in Ibadan, where he announced his goal to “reset Nigeria.”
He later became the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement after running as the party’s consensus candidate in its primary later that month.
With all victims now rescued and receiving assistance, the Oyo State Government has said it will collaborate with federal security agencies to enhance surveillance and prevent future school abductions across the state.