President Bola Tinubu has directed emergency response agencies to provide immediate medical care and relief support to the pupils and teachers rescued from captivity in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State following a 56-day ordeal.
The President gave the directive on Friday while expressing delight over the successful rescue operation carried out by security agencies, describing it as a major victory against criminal elements.
Tinubu said the emergency agencies should work closely with the Oyo State Government to ensure the rescued children and teachers receive all necessary medical attention, psychosocial care and other relief support to aid their recovery.
He also commended the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as their heroic efforts in securing the victims’ freedom without any collateral damage.
According to the President, the intelligence-driven operation, which lasted 56 days, led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, while several others were neutralized.
“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.
“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,” the President said.
President Tinubu expressed regret over the pain and anxiety endured by the children, their teachers, their families and the nation since the abduction, assuring that his administration would ensure justice for the victims and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who was reportedly murdered by the kidnappers.
“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” he said.
The President further praised the Oyo State Government for its collaboration with the Federal Government throughout the rescue efforts and urged the state to strengthen security around schools to prevent future attacks.
“I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” Tinubu added.
