The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Rilwan Disu, has assured Nigerians that the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State will be rescued and reunited with their families unharmed.

Disu pledged that the Nigeria Police Force would deploy all lawful and available resources to secure the release of the victims while intensifying efforts to strengthen internal security across the country.

The assurance was given during a meeting with the leadership of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN), led by its President, Festus Fifen, and Secretary, Peter Ireh.

The abduction of the schoolchildren, who are reportedly between the ages of two and 14, occurred last month in Oyo and Borno states, where armed groups operating from forested areas targeted educational institutions, raising fresh concerns over insecurity and the safety of schoolchildren.

In a statement issued on Sunday and jointly signed by Fifen and Ireh, CCAN said the Inspector-General’s commitment had renewed hope among the families of the abducted victims and Nigerians concerned about their welfare.

“At a moment of national anxiety over the fate of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren, the IGP’s assurance that they will be rescued unhurt reflects confidence in the operational capabilities of the Nigeria Police Force,” the association stated.

According to CCAN, Disu’s confidence is rooted in the force’s intelligence-driven and result-oriented policing strategy, which it said has recorded successes in tackling kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes across the country.

The association also commended the ongoing reforms and operational achievements recorded under the Inspector-General’s leadership, describing them as a significant contribution to national security.

“The Nigeria Police Force is witnessing a renewed sense of purpose under IGP Disu’s leadership. From the rescue of kidnap victims, including Adeola Adelabu, her sister and their children, to the dismantling of criminal networks and enhanced security operations across the country, Nigerians are beginning to see the impact of focused and strategic policing,” CCAN said.

The association further highlighted the growing emphasis on intelligence-led policing, professionalism and community engagement, noting that the approach is helping to improve public confidence in law enforcement.

CCAN added that Disu’s handling of major criminal investigations and security operations demonstrates a commitment to effective policing that is both firm and respectful of citizens’ rights, while reinforcing efforts to combat crime nationwide.