More details into the rescue of the Oyo state students and teachers who were kidnapped from their schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state, has been provided by the presidency.
It stated that eight of the kidnappers have been apprehended and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services, while others were neutralised during the operation.
Bayo Onanuga, The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, disclosed this in a follow-up post on his verified X handle on Friday after he announced the victims’ release.
He stated that no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted Oyo pupils and teachers.
Onanuga disclosed that the kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded was neither freed nor spared, as he remains under prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.
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.”
He also stated that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation.
The students and teachers had spent weeks in captivity after gunmen stormed three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of the local government area on May 15, killing a teacher and later beheading another in a video that sparked national outrage.
