Pressure from security forces on the families of bandits forced the criminals to release the kidnapped victims of Oyo —Soldiers

Unbeknownst to many Nigerians, the country’s security agencies have stepped up pressure on bandits who kidnapped 46 schoolchildren and teachers from a school in Oriire Local Government Area (LGA) in Oyo State long before the final rescue operation was carried out.

The Nigerian Army on Saturday revealed steps it had taken weeks earlier to force criminals to hand over their victims.

According to the spokesperson of 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Lt Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the victims were rescued following a sustained joint intelligence-led security operation.

He revealed that the rescue operation lasted more than a month and targeted the kidnappers’ network and their hideouts in Old Oyo National Park and other locations across the country.

He said the operation coordinated by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General CR Nnebeife, on Friday, July 10, involved special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), specifically the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), Defense Headquarters, Nigerian Army Special Forces, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), as well as local residents, hunters, and Amotekun agents.

According to Danjuma, the coordinated operation led to several arrests in Oyo State and several other states, effectively dismantling the kidnappers’ network.

“This arrest completely disrupted the group’s organization, put tremendous pressure on them and ultimately led to the terrorist group releasing students and teachers unconditionally. Further operations will be carried out,” he said.

He explained that the operation was carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damage and ensure safe rescue of the kidnapped students and teachers.

“However, there were several fatalities from the security forces,” he added, without providing further details.

Danjuma said the rescued victims were receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital and would be handed over to the Oyo State Government to be reunited with their families.

Security sources also revealed that pressure from security forces, coupled with the curfew imposed earlier by the Oyo State government prevented the bandits from relocating the victims from Oyo National Park to Kainji in Niger State.