President Bola Tinubu announced on Friday that some terrorists involved in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State were killed during the successful rescue operation, and at least eight others were arrested. The president expressed profound happiness over the rescue, which ended a 56-day standoff that began on 15 May when the victims were seized.
Details of the Rescue Operation
According to sources familiar with the matter, the abductees were freed following a coordinated operation by security forces from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the State Security Service (SSS, also known as DSS), the Nigerian Army, the police, and other security agencies. The operation resulted in the neutralization of some terrorists and the arrest of eight suspects.
Presidential Statement and Reaction
In a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu praised the heroic efforts of the security agencies. “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,” the president was quoted as saying. He added, “On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies, and the police.”
Justice and Support for Victims
While celebrating the safe return of the hostages, President Tinubu acknowledged the deep anguish experienced by the victims, their families, and the nation. He vowed that his administration would bring the perpetrators to full 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 said. The president also directed emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide all necessary medical and relief support to the children and the teachers.
Context of School Abductions in Nigeria
The mass abduction of students in Nigeria began in 2014 with the kidnapping of over 200 students from Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State. Since then, more than 2,300 students and their teachers have been kidnapped. Data compiled and analysed by PREMIUM TIMES shows that the crisis has worsened under President Tinubu. Although his administration marked three years in office on 29 May, it has already recorded 13 mass school kidnapping incidents involving 674 students and staff, compared to three incidents involving at least 120 students during the first three years of his immediate predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. This represents an increase of about 461.7 per cent.
Recent Abductions and Ongoing Concerns
The Oyo incident occurred around the same period as the abduction of 42 students from Mussa Primary and Secondary School in Borno State. Barely a month later, terrorists abducted students preparing to sit the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. Although the military rescued some students, about 31 remain missing. In all, about 77 Borno students remain in captivity.
Government Response and Cooperation
President Tinubu commended the Oyo State Government for its close cooperation with the federal government throughout the 56-day ordeal. “I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” the president said. The successful rescue operation marks a significant achievement for the security agencies, but the broader trend of increasing school abductions remains a pressing concern for the administration.
