By Ayomide Otitoju
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has received the rescued teachers and pupils abducted from Ahoro Esienle and Yawota schools in Oriire Local Government Area, following their release from captivity.
The Nigerian Army formally handed over the victims to the Oyo State Government on Monday at a ceremony held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The handover marked the transfer of responsibility for the victims’ welfare to the state government, 56 days after they were abducted by armed terrorists.
Speaking at the event, Makinde described the rescue operation as a major achievement made possible through the collaboration of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and security chiefs for their support, while assuring the rescued teachers and pupils that the state government would provide continued care during their recovery.
Makinde said the incident attracted national and international concern, noting that the response to the Oriire abduction was unprecedented during his administration.
The governor acknowledged the psychological impact of the victims’ experience, assuring them that the state government would support their rehabilitation.
“What you endured over 56 days cannot simply be erased in 56 months. Nevertheless, I want to assure you that you will not walk this path alone,” he said.
Although the affected Baptist school is privately owned, Makinde pledged to work with the school management to ensure that the teachers’ careers and the pupils’ education are not disrupted.
He added that the victims would continue to receive medical care and psychosocial support under the supervision of former University College Hospital (UCH) Chief Medical Director, Temitope Alonge, before being reunited with their families.
The governor formally announced that the state government had taken responsibility for the welfare of all the rescued teachers and pupils.
Also speaking, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said the rescue followed intelligence-driven operations and collaboration among security agencies.
Nnebeife disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed possible involvement of local collaborators, including some members of vigilante groups and hunters who allegedly assisted the kidnappers.
He said the difficult forest terrain where the victims were held required coordinated ground operations to achieve their rescue.
The GOC commended President Tinubu, Governor Makinde and other security agencies for their support during the operation.
In an emotional account, the principal of the school, speaking publicly for the first time since regaining freedom, described the victims’ experience in captivity as traumatic.
She alleged that the abductors subjected teachers and pupils to severe physical abuse during their detention and disclosed that two teachers, Michael Oyedokun and John Olaleye, were killed by the attackers.
The Oriire school abduction attracted widespread attention after the teachers and pupils were taken from their schools, prompting security agencies to launch operations that eventually led to their rescue in areas around the Old Oyo National Park and adjoining forests.
