Oyo Students' Kidnappers Killed, Eight Arrested During Rescue, Says Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu said on Friday that some of the kidnappers who took pupils and teachers in Oyo State were killed during the rescue operation. He also revealed that at least eight of the kidnappers were arrested.

Mr Tinubu expressed that he was “profoundly happy” with the outcome of the rescue.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the students and teachers were freed on Friday, 10 July. This ended a 56-day ordeal that started when the kidnappers seized the victims on 15 May.

Sources close to the situation told our reporter that the victims were freed after an operation by security forces. This included the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), State Security Service (SSS, also known as DSS), the Nigerian Army, the police, and other security agencies.

In a statement from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the president praised “the heroic efforts” of the security agencies for rescuing the captives.

“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,” Mr Tinubu was quoted as saying.

“On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies, and the police,” the president added.

While celebrating the safe return of the hostages, the president acknowledged the pain felt by the victims, their families, and the nation.

He promised that his government would ensure justice for the victims.

“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.

President Tinubu also praised the Oyo State Government for its collaboration with the federal government throughout the 56-day crisis.

“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” the president said.

Mr Tinubu has also ordered that emergency agencies team up with the Oyo State Government to provide medical and relief support to the children and teachers.