By Our Correspondent
The school children and their teachers kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area in Oyo State were freed through a well-coordinated security surveillance and execution by specialized members of Nigeria’s armed forces.
The 2nd Mechanized Division of the Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Oyo State led by Major General C R Nnebeife, coordinated the operation in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) notably the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Defence Headquarters with Special Forces elements from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Airforce, Nigerian Police, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, local vigilantes, Amotekuns, hunters and other security agencies.
Ag. Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 2nd Division, Ibadan, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who confirmed the participation of these security agencies in the rescue operation, disclosed that a total of 44 pupils and teachers were rescued. He said the joint operation lasted for more than one month.
It is worthy to note that one teacher was beheaded in captivity and one pupil died also in the captives’ den.
Danjuma explained in a statement that the operations focused on identifying the terrorists kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, bursting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts.
He said their hideout was at Old Oyo National Park Forest, Oyo State.
The Ag. Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, disclosed that as part of the operations, multiple arrests were made in Oyo State and some other parts of the country. ‘These arrests completely disorganized the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,’ he remarked.
The Lieutenant Colonel noted that the ‘operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damages and to equally ensure that the innocent children and teachers were safely rescued’. But he said that there were some casualties on the part of the security forces, without elaborating as to how many security personnel lost their lives or were wounded in the operations.
Danjuma added that further operations would be conducted.
The freed kidnap victims, he said, were receiving medical attention and would be reunited with their families in due course.
Danjuma acknowledged on behalf of the GOC, 2nd Division, the support of President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and other security stakeholders during the rescue operations.