56-Day captivity ends as Tinubu celebrates rescue of Oriire pupils, teachers

Stanley Ihedigbo

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed delight over the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from the Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, commending the security agencies for bringing the 56-day hostage crisis to a peaceful end.

The President praised the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force for their coordinated operation, which led to the safe rescue of the victims without any collateral damage.

According to the Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, the operation also resulted in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, while several others were neutralised during the security offensive.

President Tinubu described the rescue as a major achievement for the nation’s security architecture, noting that it had brought relief to the affected families and Nigerians who had anxiously followed the fate of the abducted children and their teachers.

He lamented the emotional trauma and hardship endured by the victims, their families and the nation since the abduction, assuring Nigerians that his administration remains committed to ensuring justice is served.

“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 led to 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.

President Tinubu also vowed that those responsible for the abduction and the killing of Mr. Oyedokun 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 stated.

The President commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts, describing the partnership as instrumental to the successful outcome of the operation.

He further urged the state government to strengthen security measures around schools to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“I must commend the Government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” Tinubu added.
To ensure the rescued victims receive immediate care, the President directed relevant emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government in providing comprehensive medical attention, psychological support and other relief services to the children and their teachers.

The successful rescue marks the end of nearly two months of anxiety for the affected families and underscores the continued collaboration between federal and state authorities in tackling insecurity and protecting schoolchildren across the country.