The Federal Government has disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation that led to the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave the update on Friday in a post on his verified X handle, providing further details on the rescue operation.
According to Onanuga, the suspects were apprehended during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some other members of the gang were neutralised by security operatives.
He also dismissed speculation that the victims were released in exchange for any detained terrorist, stressing that no negotiation or prisoner swap took place.
“In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised,” Onanuga wrote.
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“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being prosecuted for his atrocities.”
He added that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation that secured the freedom of the victims.
The latest update comes hours after Onanuga initially announced that the abducted pupils and teachers had regained their freedom, bringing relief to their families and residents of Orire Local Government Area.
Although the identities of the suspects and details of the rescue operation have not yet been officially released, the Presidency’s latest disclosure indicates that the victims were freed through a coordinated security operation rather than negotiations with the abductors.
Security agencies are expected to provide a full briefing on the operation in the coming days.