There was jubilation across the country on Friday, as abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.
President Bola Tinubu, while expressing delight over the successful operation, vowed that his administration would ensure justice for the victims and the family of the slain teacher, Michael Oyedokun.
The President also directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and other relief support for the rescued pupils and teachers.
In a statement issued by Onanuga on Friday, Tinubu commended the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force for securing the victims’ freedom after 56 days in captivity.
He praised the security agencies for sustaining the operation for almost two months without collateral damage, arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others.
Tinubu also sympathised with the rescued pupils, their teachers, their families and the nation over the trauma they endured during their captivity.
He further commended the Oyo State Government for cooperating with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts and urged it to strengthen security around schools across the state.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Ogbomoso, in Oyo State after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists who perpetrated the evil act and led to the arrest of eight of them.
“This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular. On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, whom the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” the statement read.
The freed pupils and teachers also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the security agencies for securing their freedom.
Focus on other kidnap victims now — Ndume
While thanking the Federal Government for ensuring the abductees’ safe return to their families, Senator Ali Ndume, who represents Borno South Senatorial District, said 42 people from Mussa Community in his constituency remained in captivity, alongside more than 30 residents of Lassa who were recently abducted.
He added that more than 50 people from Gwoza were also still being held after some victims were released from a larger group of about 400 abductees.
The senator further disclosed that several travellers kidnapped along the Biu route had yet to regain their freedom.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the military to shift their attention now to my senatorial district to help us get our people back,” Ndume said.
He noted that parents of the abducted victims, particularly those from Mussa, were traumatised because some of those in captivity were young children, while the victims from Lassa were students preparing for or sitting the National Examinations Council examinations.
Ndume expressed confidence in Nigeria’s security agencies, saying they were capable of tackling insecurity if provided with adequate support.
“I have confidence in the Nigerian security agencies. I have said several times that all they need are encouragement, training, equipment, ammunition and motivation,” he said.
The PUNCH