President Bola Tinubu has expressed delight over the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, commending the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force for securing their release after 56 days in captivity.

The President, in a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, praised the security agencies for conducting what he described as a sustained military, police and intelligence-led operation that led to the safe rescue of the victims without collateral damage.

According to the statement, the operation also resulted in the arrest of eight suspected abductors, while several others were neutralised during the mission.

President Tinubu described the rescue as a major relief for the nation and the affected families, noting that it brought an end to more than 50 days of anxiety following the abduction.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, 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,” the President said.

He added, “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.”

President Tinubu also expressed sympathy to the victims, their families and Nigerians over the trauma caused by the incident, describing the abduction as a painful experience for all concerned.

He vowed that justice would be served, assuring that those responsible for the crime would face the full weight of the law.

“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” he stated.

The President commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts and urged the state authorities to strengthen security around schools to prevent similar incidents.

“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” Tinubu said.

He further directed emergency response agencies to work closely with the Oyo State Government to provide the rescued pupils and teachers with the necessary medical care and other relief support following their ordeal.