The rescue of pupils and teachers kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians, with many welcoming the development while demanding that authorities publicly present the suspected kidnappers and provide more details about the operation.
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the rescue on Friday in a post on X.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Onanuga wrote.
“One of the rescued teachers in Oyo sends a thank you message to President Tinubu and the security agencies.”
The announcement came after weeks of uncertainty following the abduction of pupils and teachers in the state.
In a video shared alongside the post, one of the rescued victims, Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the security agencies for securing their release.
“President sir, our father, we are grateful, we understand your commitment to our safety and we appreciate all you did for us…. And every security operatives, they tried so much and that is why we are still alive by now, God bless you,” she said.
While many celebrated the safe return of the victims, several Nigerians questioned the circumstances surrounding the rescue, calling on the government to release details of the operation and publicly parade those responsible for the kidnapping.
A user identified as @salees01 congratulated the rescued victims and their families but asked, “Congratulations to the families of the rescued pupils and their teachers. But where are the pictures of the purported terrorist arrested in the course of the rescue as claimed???”
Another user, @God_streasure7, demanded more transparency, writing: “Make dem give full account abeg We need to know what really happened.”Similarly, @Saythetrut99188 expressed doubt over the official account of the rescue, saying: “Bunch of fools, where are the arrested kidnappers, you’re deceiving your father not me.” Vanguard
