President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said the Federal Government rejected demands for ransom and the release of detained terrorists before security agencies successfully rescued pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The President stated that the victims were rescued after spending 56 days in captivity, without the government making any concession to the abductors.
Tinubu, in a statement following the successful rescue operation, commended Nigeria’s security agencies for securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers alive, while insisting that the government did not succumb to the demands of the terrorists.
The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when suspected terrorists attacked schools in communities within Oriire Local Government Area and abducted dozens of pupils and teachers.
The incident sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and prompted intensified efforts by the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government and security agencies to secure the victims’ safe release.
Following weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated operations, the security agencies eventually rescued the victims on July 10 after 56 days in captivity.
The Presidency said the rescue operation involved the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, among other security and intelligence agencies.
According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, eight suspected members of the kidnapping gang were arrested during the operation, while some others were neutralised.
Onanuga said there was no “quid pro quo” in the rescue operation, noting that a terrorist kingpin whose release had reportedly been demanded by the abductors remained in custody and was being prosecuted for alleged atrocities.
The development effectively meant that the government refused to exchange the detained suspect for the abducted pupils and teachers.
The President praised the security agencies for their sustained efforts, saying their success in rescuing the victims without conceding to the terrorists’ demands demonstrated the government’s resolve to confront terrorism and protect the lives of Nigerians.
The successful rescue brought relief to the families of the victims and residents of Oyo State, who had endured weeks of uncertainty and anxiety over the fate of the abducted children and their teachers.
The incident also renewed calls for stronger security measures around schools and vulnerable communities across the country.
President Tinubu commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation throughout the rescue efforts and urged relevant authorities to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Federal Government has also reiterated its commitment to confronting terrorism and kidnapping while working with state governments and security agencies to protect citizens and ensure that those responsible for such crimes are brought to justice.