- IGP Reveals Challenges Behind 56-Day Rescue of Abducted Oyo Pupils
- Says Immediate Action Could Have Endangered Victims
- Says Rescue Strategy Was Guided by Victims’ Safety
Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has explained why security agencies did not launch an immediate rescue operation after schoolchildren and teachers were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Eko Hot Blog reports.
Speaking during a press briefing on Thursday, Disu said security operatives came under heavy criticism while the victims remained in captivity but insisted that authorities acted cautiously to avoid putting their lives at greater risk.
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According to the police chief, the kidnappers attacked two schools before fleeing with the pupils and teachers in the head teacher’s vehicle.
He said the abductors later abandoned the vehicle at the entrance of a forest and set it ablaze.
“I will share with you the incident of the Ogbomosho kidnap. That day, they came. Two schools they went to and kidnapped those children and their teachers. They used the vehicle of one of the teachers, the head teacher. When they got to the entrance of the bush that they were going to, they set fire to the vehicle. We didn’t know why they did it,” Disu said.
The IGP added that the rescue operation was complicated by the remoteness of the affected communities, noting that there was no telecommunications network in the area and security formations were located far from the villages.
“In that area, there is no network at all. Even police stations are far from them. They had only one road leading to the two villages where the kidnap happened,” he said.
The victims were abducted in May 2026 after gunmen invaded schools in Oriire Local Government Area and took away dozens of pupils and members of staff.
They regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity following a coordinated operation by multiple security agencies.
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