Eight Arrested in Oyo Rescue Operation — Presidency

The Presidency has disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation that led to the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed the development in a follow-up statement shared on his verified X handle on Friday, shortly after confirming the release of the victims.

Onanuga reiterated that the government did not enter into any agreement, pay ransom, or make concessions to the terrorists before the abducted pupils and teachers were rescued.

He stated that the alleged kingpin whose release was demanded by the abductors was not freed and remains in custody while facing prosecution over offences connected to terrorism.

“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 stated.

Providing further details, Onanuga 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 neutralized.

“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 added that the relevant security agencies would provide a detailed briefing on the operation in due course.

The pupils and teachers had spent weeks in captivity after gunmen attacked three schools in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, during which one teacher was killed and another was later beheaded in a video released by the terrorists, sparking widespread public condemnation.

The latest revelation follows President Bola Tinubu’s earlier confirmation that the victims were rescued alive and unharmed, with no ransom paid and no concessions granted to the Ansaru-linked terrorists.

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