President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday expressed joy over the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, commending security agencies for ending the 56-day captivity without loss of any of the victims.
The President also disclosed that eight of the suspected kidnappers had been arrested while several others were neutralised during the military, police and intelligence-led operation that secured the victims’ freedom.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu praised the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police for their professionalism and resilience in carrying out the operation.
“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 described the successful operation as the end of more than 50 days of anxiety for the victims, their families and the nation.
“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,” Tinubu added.
The President expressed sadness over the trauma endured by the victims and their families, particularly the killing of one of the abducted teachers, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, while in captivity.
He vowed that those responsible for the attack would face justice.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr. Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” he declared.
President Tinubu also commended the Oyo State Government for collaborating with the Federal Government throughout the rescue operation and urged the state to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents.
He further directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide immediate medical care, trauma counselling and other relief support for the rescued pupils and teachers.
The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed bandits invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, taking away dozens of pupils, teachers and a toddler into the forest before they were rescued after 56 days in captivity.
