The Federal Government has more shed lights on the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a post on his verified X handle on Friday.
According to him, eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS.
He also confirmed that some other suspects were killed during the rescue operation.
He said no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
He explained that 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 said: “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 comprehensive account of the operation.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has expressed joy at the successful rescue of the children and teachers from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, by the security forces.
He praised the heroic efforts of the security agencies, especially the military, the DSS and the police, for working round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others.
He regretted the anguish that the children and their teachers, as well as members of their families and the entire nation, have experienced since the sad occurrence
He commended the Oyo State Government for cooperating with the Federal Government in all rescue efforts, and charged it to ensure adequate security around schools across the state.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and 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, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered.
“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” the President said.
He has also directed that the emergency agencies work with the Oyo State Government to provide all necessary medical and relief support to the children and the teachers.