President Bola Tinubu has expressed relief over the rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, commending security agencies for successfully ending their 56-day captivity.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force for carrying out a coordinated operation that secured the victims’ release without collateral damage.
Tinubu also commended the security agencies for arresting eight suspected kidnappers and neutralising other members of the criminal gang during the operation.
“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 President said.
He described the operation as a major breakthrough that brought an end to more than 50 days of uncertainty for the victims, their families and the nation.
“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,” Tinubu added.
The President lamented the trauma endured by the abducted pupils, teachers and their families since the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
He also pledged that justice would be served for all the victims, particularly the family of Michael Oyedokun, the mathematics teacher who was killed 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,” he said.
Tinubu commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts and urged the state to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents.
He further directed relevant emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care, psychosocial support and other relief assistance to the rescued pupils and teachers.
The victims were abducted on May 15 after heavily armed gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Their rescue on Friday brought an end to 56 days in captivity.
