All women and schoolchildren abducted by terrorists in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been rescued following a coordinated security operation by federal authorities.
The rescue was confirmed on Friday, with officials stating that all the victims were recovered safely through ongoing efforts by security agencies. Although details of the operation were initially withheld, fresh information has revealed that the operation also led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers.
Providing an update on the operation, posted on his official twitter handle, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said the rescue was carried out without yielding to the terrorists’ demands.
“In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised,” Onanuga said.
He added that there was “no quid pro quo” in securing the victims’ release, noting that one of the terrorist kingpins whose release had been demanded by the abductors remains in custody and is facing prosecution.
“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being prosecuted for his atrocities,” he said.
Onanuga added that security agencies would provide a comprehensive account of the rescue operation in due course.
The successful operation marks another breakthrough in ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat kidnapping and terrorism, with all the abducted women and schoolchildren safely recovered.
Boluwatife Enome
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