Unknown to many Nigerians, the country’s security agencies had mounted pressure on the criminals who kidnapped 46 school children and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) in Oyo State long before the final rescue operation took place.
The Nigerian Army on Saturday revealed steps that had been taken weeks before to force the criminals to give up on their victims.
According to spokesperson for 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the victims were rescued following a sustained intelligence-led joint security operation
He revealed that the rescue operation lasted for more than one month and targeted the kidnappers’ network and hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park and other locations across the country.
He said the operation, coordinated by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj. Gen. C.R. Nnebeife, on Friday, July 10, involved special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) the Defence Headquarters, Special Forces of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun operatives.
According to Danjuma, the coordinated operation led to multiple arrests in Oyo State and several other states, effectively dismantling the kidnappers’ network.
“These arrests completely disorganized the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to release the pupils and teachers unconditionally. Further operations will be conducted,” he said.
He explained that the operation was carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damage and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.
“However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” he added, without providing further details.
Danjuma said the rescued victims are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
Security sources also revealed that the pressure from the security forces, coupled with an earlier curfew by the Oyo State government prevented the bandits from relocating the victims from Oyo National Park to Kainji in Niger State.
