ABUJA
President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound joy at the successful rescue of the children and teachers from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, by the security forces.
It would be recalled that on May 15, 2026, 49 persons, compromising 39 pupils and students, seven teachers, including a two-year old toddler were kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The coordinated attacks in three schools;Baptist Nursery/ Primary School, L .A Primary School,Ahoro-Esiele , and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele have seen the abducteees in captivity 56 days until rescue.
Unfortunately, one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun was killed by the kidnappers.
It is a huge relief as all the abducteees have returned safely, except one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun who was killed in the custody of terrorists.
Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy in a statement on his official X account said that eight suspects have been arrested and now in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) in connection to the case while other suspects were killed during rescue operation.
He added that no concession was made to the terrorists to secure their freedom as security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation.
“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,” he added.
Tinubu praised the heroic efforts of the security agencies, especially the military, the DSS and the police, for working round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others
The President regretted the anguish that the children and their teachers, as well as members of their families and the entire nation, have experienced since the sad occurrence.
For cooperating with the Federal Government in all rescue efforts, President Tinubu commended the Oyo State Government and charged it to ensure adequate security around schools across the state.
“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.
“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.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered.
“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.
Tinubu has also directed that the emergency agencies work with the Oyo State Government to provide all necessary medical and relief support to the children and the teachers.