The Presidency says eight suspected kidnappers have been arrested and others neutralised during the rescue operation that freed pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in an update on Friday.
Onanuga said the rescued victims regained their freedom after spending more than 50 days in captivity following their abduction from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
He said no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the release of the pupils and teachers.
“Eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised,” he said.
The presidential aide explained that the suspected terrorist kingpin whose release was demanded by the abductors was neither freed nor spared, adding that he remained in custody and was facing prosecution over alleged terrorist activities.
“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,” Onanuga stated.
He added that security agencies would provide a full account of the operation.
Earlier, Onanuga had announced the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, saying all the victims had been rescued by security agencies.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
Mrs Rachael Alamu, the school principal who was abducted alongside some teachers and pupils, expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and security agencies for securing their freedom.
She thanked the authorities for their efforts in ensuring the safe return of the victims.
The Presidency said the operation demonstrated the commitment of security agencies to combating terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of criminality across the country.
