The pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State who were abducted have finally regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a post shared on X on Friday. He disclosed that the rescue operation was successfully carried out by Nigerian security agencies.

According to Onanuga, eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently being held by the Department of State Services (DSS). He also revealed that some members of the criminal gang were neutralised during the rescue mission.

The presidential aide emphasized that the victims were rescued without any ransom payment or prisoner exchange. He explained that one of the gang leaders whose release had reportedly been demanded by the kidnappers remains in custody and is facing prosecution for his alleged crimes.

He added that security agencies will soon provide a detailed account of how the operation was carried out.

The successful rescue has brought relief to the victims’ families and many Nigerians who had closely followed the abduction case over the past several weeks.