By Adeola Badru
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has assured that terrorism and kidnapping will not be allowed to disrupt the education of children or the careers of teachers, pledging comprehensive support for the teachers and pupils rescued after spending 56 days in captivity in Oyo State.
Makinde gave the assurance on Monday while receiving the rescued teachers and pupils of the Oriire Local Government Area, saying the state government would work with the school’s management to ensure the victims resumed their lives without setbacks, despite the institution being privately owned.
“The Oyo State Government will do everything possible to ensure there is no disruption to your careers as teachers and no interruption to the education of the affected pupils. We will continue to support you throughout this recovery period,” the governor said.
He added that the state would engage with the school’s management to determine the best way to assist the victims.
“Although the Baptist school involved is not a government-owned school, we will engage with its management to determine the best way forward.”
Makinde described the successful rescue as a demonstration of what could be achieved when Nigeria’s security agencies worked in unity, noting that the coordinated response distinguished the operation from similar incidents elsewhere in the country.
“Incidents like this have happened in different parts of the country, but when it happened in Oyo State, the response was different. All the security agencies worked together with one goal, to secure the safe return of the teachers and the pupils.”
The governor thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the operation and commended the leadership of the military and other security agencies for their commitment throughout the rescue mission.
“On behalf of the Government and the good people of Oyo State, I sincerely thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the support given to ensure the success of this operation. I also appreciate the leadership of all the security agencies in Nigeria.”
He said the rescued victims would remain under medical observation for another 24 to 48 hours before being reunited with their families, assuring them that the government would take responsibility for their rehabilitation.
“We now officially take responsibility for the rescued teachers and pupils. We will provide every necessary assistance and support to help you recover fully.”
Giving an account of the operation, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major-General Chinedu Nnebeife, declared that the military would never negotiate with terrorists, saying the rescue mission was designed not only to secure the victims’ freedom but also to dismantle the criminal network responsible for the abduction.
“As I have consistently maintained, we will never yield to the demands of terrorists. We will not, and we never will.”
Nnebeife disclosed that the operation evolved into an intelligence-led campaign that extended beyond Oyo State to Adamawa, Kano, and other parts of the country as security agencies tracked members of the syndicate, their logistics chain, and their informants.
“Our primary objective was to identify the terrorist kingpins responsible for masterminding the crime, dismantle their network, and cut off their logistics and informant structures within Oyo National Park and beyond.”
According to him, security forces eventually blocked the terrorists’ principal logistics hub, forcing the kidnappers to indicate their readiness to release the captives unconditionally.
“That action placed enormous pressure on the terrorists, leading them to indicate their willingness to release the captives unconditionally.“
“However, our objective extended beyond securing the release of the victims. We remain committed to eliminating terrorist operations in that region and, indeed, across the country.”
The GOC said the operation came at a high cost, with one officer and one soldier killed in action while another soldier sustained serious injuries.
“On the very day we buried the fallen officer in Adamawa State, we successfully rescued the victims later that evening. We salute the ultimate sacrifice made by our personnel. Their courage and bravery will never be forgotten.”
He revealed that President Tinubu maintained close oversight of the operation, requesting daily briefings from commanders on the rescue mission’s progress.
“The President personally requested daily updates, asking those coordinating the mission to report directly on developments from the field.”
Nnebeife also commended Governor Makinde for his consistent support throughout the operation.
“From the very first day of this incident, he remained in regular contact, seeking updates and asking about our progress. Contrary to some media reports suggesting otherwise, I can personally confirm that he consistently followed developments and demonstrated genuine concern.”
He, however, warned that investigations had uncovered evidence suggesting that a few local collaborators aided the kidnappers, stressing the need to strengthen intelligence gathering at the community level.
“We need to carefully review the activities of some local vigilantes and hunters because our investigations indicate that there was collaboration by a small number of individuals with the criminal elements.”
The GOC urged Nigerians to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, saying public cooperation remained indispensable to tackling terrorism and kidnapping across the country.
Speaking on behalf of the rescued victims, the principal of the school, Mrs Racheal Alamu, recounted the traumatic experience of spending 56 days in captivity with teachers and pupils, saying they survived harsh weather, hunger and repeated movements through the forest while hoping for rescue.
“It was not easy. We were in the forest, in the open, most of the time, under the sun and under the rain, with the children. But we kept going because there was no way out. We knew it was God that could only help us.”
She disclosed that the abductors frequently forced the captives to relocate whenever they suspected security forces were closing in, compelling both teachers and children to undertake long treks in the dead of night.
“When the place was discovered, we had to move. That usually started around seven or eight at night, and sometimes we walked for three or four hours. Most of the bruises you see on our bodies came from those movements.”
Alamu revealed that although she was not physically assaulted, some of the younger children suffered repeated beatings whenever they cried or made noise.
“Personally, I was not beaten, but some of the children were beaten.
