The presidency has disclosed that all the teachers and pupils abducted in Ogbomoso, Oyo state have regained their freedom.
Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, who shared the photos of the pupils and teachers on his Facebook page on Friday, said that they were rescued by security agencies.
The presidential spokesperson did not give details about the process that led to the release of the abductees.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
According to reports, the pupils and their teachers were rescued during a joint operation involving personnel of the Nigerian Army and the police, backed by intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS).
A security source said at least nine of the bandits were killed during the operation, while eight were arrested and are in the custody of the DSS.
Recall that gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, all in Oriire LGA of Oyo state on May 15.
The Oyo police command said two people were killed during the attack on the schools. At least 45 schoolchildren and teachers were reportedly kidnapped during the incident.
The incident prompted the Oyo state government to shut schools in four LGAs as security agencies intensified rescue efforts.
On May 18, Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, said one of the teachers abducted during the recent terrorist attack was killed in captivity.
Speaking at a press briefing on the incident, Makinde described the situation as “difficult and challenging”, saying the state government was intensifying efforts to rescue the remaining victims.
Also, the chief of army staff (COAS), General Waidi Shaibu, on July 5 said troops were making “tremendous progress” towards rescuing the abducted 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers.
