The Presidency has revealed that security operatives arrested eight suspected kidnappers and neutralised several others during the operation that led to the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The latest update was provided on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a follow-up statement posted on his verified X handle, shortly after confirming that the victims had regained their freedom.
According to Onanuga, the operation was carried out without yielding to the demands of the kidnappers, who had reportedly insisted on the release of one of their leaders as a condition for freeing the captives.
He stressed that the alleged kingpin remains in custody and is facing prosecution for terrorism-related offences.
He wrote, “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.”
The Presidency maintained that the successful operation was achieved without negotiating the release of the detained suspect, dismissing suggestions that any concession had been granted to the abductors.
Onanuga also disclosed that security agencies would, in due course, provide a detailed account of how the rescue mission was executed and the circumstances surrounding the arrests and neutralisation of the suspects.
The pupils and their teachers had been held captive for several weeks after heavily armed gunmen attacked three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Orire Local Government Area on May 15.
The incident triggered nationwide outrage after the attackers killed one teacher during the assault and later released a video showing the beheading of another victim while the captives remained in their custody.
The successful rescue marks the end of weeks of uncertainty for the affected families and communities, with further details of the security operation expected from the relevant authorities.
(Ripples)