The Presidency has disclosed that eight suspected 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 a rescue operation that ended the victims’ 56-day captivity.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development on Friday, saying the suspects were currently in the custody of the Department of State Services.Executive Branch
The latest disclosure came hours after the Presidency confirmed the successful rescue of all the abducted pupils and teachers who were seized by gunmen during coordinated attacks on three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities on May 15.
Onanuga also dismissed claims that the victims regained their freedom through negotiations involving the release of detained terrorists or any form of concession by the Federal Government.
According to him, one of the terrorist kingpins whose release was demanded by the kidnappers remains in custody and is being prosecuted for terrorism-related offences.
He wrote on his verified X handle, “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 added that security agencies would soon provide a detailed account of the rescue operation.
The victims were abducted after dozens of armed men, some reportedly dressed in military uniforms and riding motorcycles, invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area.
The attack claimed the life of one teacher during the invasion, while another teacher, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by the kidnappers in captivity, a development that sparked nationwide outrage.
A total of 46 victims, comprising 39 pupils and seven teachers, were confirmed abducted during the attack.
The incident triggered widespread condemnation, protests and an indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State, while the Federal Government deployed additional security personnel and intelligence assets to secure the victims’ release.
During the period of captivity, reports emerged that the kidnappers demanded the release of two suspected terrorist commanders as a condition for freeing the victims.
However, the Presidency maintained that no prisoner exchange or other concession was granted.
With the rescue now completed, attention has shifted to the ongoing investigation and prosecution of those behind one of the country’s most disturbing mass school abductions in recent months.
Security agencies are expected to provide further details of the operation, including the circumstances surrounding the rescue and the arrests of the suspects.
