Photo caption: President Bola Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu on Friday expressed delight over the rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire, Oyo State, commending security agencies for ending their 56-day captivity.
The President praised the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as a successful operation that secured the victims’ release without collateral damage.
In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu also lauded security operatives for arresting eight suspected kidnappers and neutralising others during the operation.
He described the rescue as a major relief for the affected families and the nation.
“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,” he stated.
Tinubu regretted the trauma experienced by the abducted pupils, teachers, their families and the nation since the incident occurred on May 15.
He also pledged justice for the victims and the family of Michael Oyedokun, the mathematics teacher who was killed while in captivity.
“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 collaborating with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts and urged it to strengthen security around schools across the state.
“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 further directed relevant emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and other relief support to the rescued pupils and teachers.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Their rescue on Friday ended 56 days in captivity.
