The pupils and teachers abducted by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been rescued by security operatives.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development in a statement on Thursday, attributing the successful operation to the efforts of the country’s security agencies.
According to him, eight members of the kidnapping syndicate were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some other suspects were neutralised.
Onanuga stated that the victims were rescued without any negotiation or concession to the kidnappers, stressing that a suspected gang leader whose release had been demanded by the abductors remains in detention and is facing prosecution.
He added that security agencies would provide further details of the rescue operation in due course.
A video released alongside the statement showed one of the rescued teachers expressing appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and security personnel for securing their freedom. The schoolchildren were also seen joining the teacher in thanking the President after the ordeal.