The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, **Mr. Bayo Onanuga**, announced the development on Friday through his official X account, confirming that the victims had been rescued after spending 56 days in captivity.
According to Onanuga, the rescue operation also led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, who are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while several other members of the criminal gang were neutralised during the operation.
He further dismissed reports suggesting that the victims were released through a prisoner swap, stressing that no negotiations or exchange of detained suspects took place. He explained that one of the suspected terrorist leaders whose release had reportedly been demanded by the kidnappers remains in custody and is still standing trial for terrorism-related offences.
The rescue brings relief to families, the affected communities, and Nigerians who had anxiously followed the case since armed men invaded three schools in Oriire on May 15, abducting 46 pupils, students, and teachers, an incident that sparked widespread concern and renewed calls for stronger security around educational institutions.
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