President Bola Tinubu has expressed delight over the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, commending the security agencies for an operation that led to the killing of some of the kidnappers and the arrest of eight others.
The President said the rescue operation, carried out after 56 days of intensive efforts, was executed without any collateral damage, bringing an end to the prolonged ordeal of the victims and their families.
In a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force for working round the clock to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers.
According to the President, the operation was driven by coordinated military, police and intelligence efforts, which resulted in the neutralisation of some of the terrorists responsible for the abduction and the arrest of eight members of the gang.
“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.
“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,” the President said.
Tinubu expressed regret over the trauma endured by the victims, their families and the nation since the abduction, assuring that those responsible would face justice.
He also vowed that the Federal Government would secure justice for the rescued children and teachers, as well as for the family of Mr. Oyedokun, who was murdered by the kidnappers during the period of captivity.
The President commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue mission 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 added.
President Tinubu further directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide the rescued children and teachers with all necessary medical care, psychosocial support and other relief assistance following their release.