Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said his administration’s immediate focus is to reunite the recently rescued pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area with their families and provide them with rehabilitation following their 56-day captivity.
In a statement shared on his X account on Friday, the governor expressed gratitude over the safe rescue of the victims and assured that the state government would support their physical and emotional recovery after the traumatic experience.
“Our priority now is to ensure they are reunited with their families and support their rehabilitation after this traumatic experience,” Makinde said.
The governor also praised the security agencies involved in the operation, commending their courage, professionalism and commitment to securing the victims’ freedom.
“We also commend the security agencies that took part in the rescue operations for their sacrifices. May the souls of those who paid the ultimate price rest in peace, and may God comfort their families,” he added.
Makinde’s remarks followed the Presidency’s confirmation that the abducted pupils and teachers were rescued alive during a coordinated security operation.
Presidential Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested while several others were killed during the rescue mission.
According to him, the operation was carried out without any negotiation or concession to the abductors, despite their demand for the release of one of their detained leaders.
“In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services, while some of them were neutralised. There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin whose release the kidnappers demanded, is already being prosecuted for his crimes,” Onanuga said.
Following their rescue, the pupils and teachers expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies. In a video released by the Presidency, one of the victims thanked the President for his commitment to securing their freedom.
President Tinubu also welcomed the successful operation and commended the security agencies for safely rescuing the victims.
