Oyo kidnapping: Abiodun, Obasa praise Tinubu, Makinde, and law enforcement for successful retrieval of students and educators

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President Bola Tinubu

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By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta/Ebunoluwa Sessou

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Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, have commended President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and security agencies over the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

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Abiodun, in a statement, described the operation as a demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to tackling insecurity and ensuring the safety of Nigerians.

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The Ogun governor said the safe rescue of the victims validated the President’s assurance that all efforts would be deployed to secure their freedom and bring the perpetrators to justice.

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He said the arrest of some of the abductors and the neutralisation of others during the operation sent a strong message that Nigeria was becoming increasingly hostile to kidnappers, bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements.

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“This operation has demonstrated that under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there will be no safe haven for criminal elements. It is a clear signal that those who choose the path of kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes will be relentlessly pursued, apprehended or neutralised in accordance with the law,” Abiodun said.

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He commended the Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), local intelligence operatives and other security personnel for their professionalism, courage and commitment during the rescue operation.

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Abiodun also praised Governor Makinde for working closely with the Federal Government and security agencies throughout the period the victims were in captivity, noting that the collaboration contributed to the successful outcome.

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He urged Nigerians to continue supporting security institutions by providing credible and timely information that could help prevent criminal activities.

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The governor reaffirmed Ogun State’s commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government, neighbouring states and security agencies to ensure criminal elements have no hiding place in the South-West.

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Similarly, Obasa described the rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers as a major victory for the country, saying it had restored hope to the affected families and Nigerians.

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In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Dave Agboola, the Lagos Assembly Speaker commended President Tinubu, the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army, the police and Governor Makinde for their efforts in securing the release of the victims.

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He praised the resilience and commitment of security agencies, while sympathising with families who lost loved ones during the incident.

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Obasa also commended the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) for its support and advocacy throughout the period of the abduction.

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He recalled that members of the Lagos State wing of the NUT had on June 2, 2026, embarked on a peaceful march to the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand urgent action over the incident.

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The Speaker said the development demonstrated the importance of cooperation among government institutions, security agencies and communities in addressing security challenges.

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“This rescue is a reminder that when government institutions, security agencies and communities work hand in hand, we can overcome even the gravest challenges. May this victory inspire renewed commitment to the safety of our schools and the protection of our children,” he said.

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