Eight suspected kidnappers have been arrested while several others were killed during a coordinated military operation that secured the freedom of pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, after 56 days in captivity.
President Bola Tinubu disclosed this on Friday while commending the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force for successfully carrying out the rescue mission.
According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the security agencies executed a joint military, police and intelligence operation that led to the safe rescue of the victims without collateral damage.
The statement said the operation resulted in the arrest of eight suspected abductors, while several members of the criminal gang were neutralised during the raid.
Reacting to the development, Tinubu described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and terrorism.
“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,” the President said.
He added that the operation had brought an end to the more than 50 day ordeal endured by the victims and their families.
“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 said.
Tinubu also vowed that those responsible for the abduction would face justice, including over the killing of Mr Oyedokun, who was reportedly murdered by the kidnappers 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 said.
He further praised the Oyo State Government for its collaboration with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts and directed emergency response agencies to work with the state to provide immediate medical care, counselling and other support for the rescued pupils and teachers.
The pupils and their teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, after armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, sparking nationwide outrage and intensive rescue efforts by security agencies.
