The Federal Government has disclosed that eight kidnappers involved in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been arrested, while several others were neutralised during a security operation that led to the victims’ rescue.
The government also insisted that no ransom or concession was made to secure the release of the abductees, dismissing speculation that authorities struck a deal with the terrorists.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the disclosure on Friday in a follow-up post on his verified X handle after announcing the successful rescue of the victims.
According to him, one of the notorious kingpins whose release was demanded by the kidnappers remains in custody and is facing prosecution for terrorism-related offences.
“Updated: In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised.
“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give full account soon,” Onanuga stated.
He added that security agencies would provide a detailed account of the rescue operation in due course.
The rescued pupils and teachers had spent weeks in captivity after gunmen invaded three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
The attackers killed one teacher during the raid and later beheaded another while in captivity, releasing a disturbing video that sparked outrage across the country and renewed concerns over insecurity in schools.
The successful rescue of the victims marks a major breakthrough in the operation mounted by security agencies to track down the abductors and secure the release of the victims without yielding to the kidnappers’ demands.
