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Nigeria Says Security Forces Rescue Dozens of Oyo Schoolchildren and Teachers

Presidential officials say a joint military, police and intelligence operation secured the captives without disclosing how the release was achieved.

Overview

  • The presidency announced that security forces recovered dozens of pupils and teachers held in Oyo State after 56 days and that some attackers were neutralised.
  • President Bola Tinubu credited a military, police and intelligence operation that led to the arrest of eight suspects, according to his statement.
  • Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga posted photos of freed children and said the kidnappers had demanded the release of a prosecuted member.
  • The original raid on schools in Esiele and Yawota drew large protests and a month-long statewide teachers' strike by raising fears that violence had spread into southwest Nigeria.
  • More than 40 other children taken in simultaneous attacks in Borno state remain in captivity and officials say investigations into tactics used and the wider abduction campaign are ongoing.