The Presidency on Friday disclosed that eight kidnappers involved in the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been arrested, while several others were killed during the rescue operation that secured the victims’ freedom.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the disclosure in a follow-up post on his verified X account after announcing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
According to Onanuga, the suspects are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
He stressed that the government made no concessions to the kidnappers to secure the release of the victims.
Onanuga also dismissed reports suggesting that a notorious kingpin demanded by the abductors as a condition for the victims’ release had been freed.
He explained that the suspect remains in custody and is being prosecuted for terrorism-related offences.
“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 wrote.
The Presidency said security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive briefing on the operation.
The victims had spent several weeks in captivity after armed men attacked three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers.
The attack also claimed the life of one teacher, while another was later beheaded by the kidnappers in a video that sparked nationwide outrage.
Operatives arrest Eight Oyo school children Kidnappers, kill others in rescue Operation
