Oyo students, teachers rescued as DSS arrests eight suspected kidnappers

The Presidency has announced that all the schoolchildren, teachers and women abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been rescued by security agencies.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga announced the rescue on Friday in a post on his verified X account.

According to him, eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some other suspects were killed.

Mr Onanuga said the victims were rescued without meeting the kidnappers’ demands.

“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,” he said.

He added that security agencies would provide more details about the operation later.

The victims were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked schools in the Ahoro-Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area, kidnapping 46 pupils, teachers and a school principal.

During their time in captivity, one of the abducted teachers Michael Oyedokun was killed by the kidnappers.

In a video shared by the Presidency after their rescue, some of the victims thanked President Bola Tinubu and security personnel for securing their release.

“We are grateful, Mr President, sir. We are grateful. We understand your commitment to our safety, and we appreciate all you did for us,” one of the rescued victims said.

The victim also thanked the security operatives involved in the rescue, saying their efforts made it possible for those abducted to return home safely.