Tinubu Hails Rescue of 308 Kidnap Victims in Kwara, Niger

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed the rescue of 308 Nigerians who were kidnapped in separate attacks across Kwara and Niger states, describing the operation as a major victory in the country’s fight against terrorism and banditry.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the victims were freed during a coordinated intelligence-led operation carried out by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force.

The statement disclosed that 163 of the rescued victims were abducted from Woro Community in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, while the remaining 145 victims were kidnapped in Niger State.

Security operatives reportedly located the victims inside the Kainji Lake National Park Forest in New Bussa Local Government Area of Niger State, where they were rescued during what the Presidency described as the largest same-day rescue operation ever conducted by Nigeria’s joint security agencies.

President Tinubu praised the military, intelligence agencies and police for what he called their courage, professionalism and effective collaboration in securing the release of the victims.

“The successful execution of this intelligence-led operation demonstrates the growing efficiency and collaboration among our security services. I commend our gallant men and women in uniform for their bravery and unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigerian lives,” the President said.

The rescued victims are currently receiving first aid and medical attention at the medical facility in Wawa Cantonment before being reunited with their families.

The Presidency said that after medical examinations are completed, the victims will be handed over to the governments of Kwara and Niger states for rehabilitation, psychosocial support and family reunification.

While celebrating the successful operation, Tinubu stressed that more work remains to be done in tackling insecurity across the country.

He directed security agencies to immediately strengthen early warning systems, improve intelligence gathering at the community level and enhance rapid response capabilities to prevent future attacks.

The President also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to restoring peace across Nigeria, insisting that government would continue investing in security operations aimed at protecting lives and dismantling criminal networks responsible for kidnappings and violent attacks.

Kidnapping for ransom remains one of Nigeria’s major security challenges, particularly in parts of the North Central and North West regions, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted rural communities, travellers and schools.

The latest rescue operation is expected to boost confidence in ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat terrorism, banditry and organised criminal activities across the country.

“There Is a Cell Where They Keep People for Parade,” Sowore Says as He Questions Oyo Rescue Narrative

Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has cast doubt on the Federal Government’s account of the rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, alleging that security agencies sometimes parade suspects whose identities and circumstances cannot be independently verified.

Speaking during an interview, Sowore questioned the official narrative surrounding the release of the victims, who spent 56 days in captivity before regaining their freedom.

According to him, he does not believe the victims were rescued solely through military operations, as publicly presented by the authorities.

“The bandits re-kidnapped kids in Oyo State and kept them in Oyo Forest for 56 days. The combined forces of the federal government could not penetrate just that circle to get these kids out,” he said.

Sowore further alleged that the victims’ release may have resulted from negotiations between the government and the kidnappers rather than direct military action.

“I have no doubt, and I’ll say this, that I’m sure this release was negotiated between the government and these bandits somewhere, probably smiling to the bank,” he claimed.

During the interview, the interviewer pushed back against Sowore’s assertion, pointing to official reports that security forces engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, resulting in the deaths of some security personnel while several suspects were reportedly neutralised or arrested.

The interviewer also referred to videos released by security agencies showing suspects allegedly captured during the operation.

However, Sowore questioned the authenticity of such public displays.

“Did you see them?” he asked.

When the interviewer insisted that videos of the suspects had been released, Sowore argued that such footage alone was not enough to verify the government’s claims.

Recalling past incidents involving the Department of State Services (DSS), he alleged that security agencies have previously paraded suspects whose identities could not be independently confirmed.

“There was a time we used to trace the DSS when they used to parade terrorists,” Sowore said.

“We discovered that the same people they paraded the last time were paraded again later.”

He then made his strongest allegation during the interview.

“There is a cell where they keep people for parade. So when it’s their time, they just come out. You can verify this.”

His comments come days after survivors of the kidnapping shared their own account of the ordeal, saying the kidnappers eventually released them after informing them that security forces had arrested members of their families.

According to the survivors, the kidnappers directed them towards military personnel waiting outside the forest before allowing them to leave.

The Federal Government has maintained that the victims’ freedom resulted from sustained military pressure and intelligence-led operations, with authorities also announcing the arrest of several suspects connected to the abduction.

Sowore’s latest remarks add another dimension to the ongoing public debate over how the rescue unfolded, although his claims remain unverified and have not been substantiated by evidence. As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government and the relevant security agencies had not publicly responded to his latest allegations.

“Military Arrested Our Families, So You Can Go” – Rescued Oyo Teacher Reveals Why Kidnappers Released Them

One of the teachers rescued after spending 56 days in captivity has shared a chilling account of how the abducted pupils and teachers were finally released, revealing that the kidnappers let them go after claiming security forces had arrested some of their family members.

Mr. Zacheaus Olatunde, one of the survivors of the May 15, 2026 abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, said the terrorists gathered them and announced they would be released.

According to him, the kidnappers told the captives that the military had arrested members of their families and that they were willing to exchange the hostages for their relatives.

“They told us to go willingly so that their families, who had been arrested by the military, would also be released,” Olatunde recounted.

He said the terrorists did not abandon them in the forest. Instead, they directed them on the exact route to follow.

“They told us we would cross two streams, and after the second stream we would meet soldiers waiting to receive us,” he said.

Olatunde explained that many of the children were already too weak to walk after nearly two months in captivity.

“I carried many of the little children because they no longer had the strength to walk. After trekking for some time, we eventually met the security personnel waiting for us.”

While recounting the ordeal, Olatunde also revealed how two of his colleagues, Mr. Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye, were brutally killed by the terrorists.

According to him, the trouble for Mr. Michael Oyedokun began on the first day they arrived in the forest when the kidnappers ordered everyone to surrender their mobile phones.

Although the other victims complied, one of the terrorists later discovered a phone in Oyedokun’s pocket while he was being transported on a motorcycle.

When questioned, the teacher reportedly explained that he did not hear the instruction to drop his phone.

The explanation did not save him.

Olatunde said one of the terrorists slapped Oyedokun before reporting the incident to their General Commander, who became enraged.

“The General Commander said, ‘If I don’t kill anyone, I must kill this man for disobeying my order.’”

The following day, the kidnappers came for Mr. Oyedokun.

“They dragged him away while he cried and begged for mercy. We heard him shouting from a distance, but after some time, the noise stopped completely.”

Olatunde said one of the younger terrorists, believed to be about 17 or 18 years old, later returned dancing and singing to celebrate the teacher’s death.

Weeks later, tragedy struck again.

According to Olatunde, Deacon John Olaleye was taken away and killed on June 7 after the kidnappers accused the military of moving too close to their camp despite earlier warnings.

“They never killed anyone in our presence. They always took them to another location. We only heard their cries before everything became silent,” he said.

Describing life inside the terrorists’ camp, Olatunde said the captives were chained and handcuffed throughout the 56 days. They were blindfolded most of the time and had to beg before they were allowed to use the toilet.

He said the terrorists constantly moved them from one location to another, often beating the adults whenever the children made mistakes.

“They sometimes hit us with guns. We, the adults, usually suffered for whatever the children did.”

He also disclosed that the kidnappers forbade Christian prayers.

“If they saw us praying or calling on Jesus, they beat us mercilessly.”

According to him, the terrorists never joked with their own religious practices.

“They prayed regularly and recited the Quran every day without fail.”

Olatunde further claimed that throughout their captivity, the kidnappers insisted they were not interested in collecting ransom but wanted some of their arrested members to be released.

He said conditions in the camp only improved after the terrorists learned that some of their own family members had been arrested by security forces.

“After Deacon John Olaleye was killed, they suddenly changed. They started treating us better because they heard their families had been arrested.”

He added that on the day of their release, the kidnappers even offered them an opportunity to bathe before leaving.

“We refused because all we wanted was to leave the forest as quickly as possible.”

After arriving safely in Ibadan, Olatunde said military officers showed him photographs of suspected kidnappers.

“I was able to identify one of them. The officers told us they had arrested eight of the terrorists while others had been neutralised.”

Despite expressing gratitude for surviving the ordeal, Olatunde said the rescued victims still mourn the loss of the two teachers who never made it home.

“We thank God that we survived, but our joy is incomplete because Mr. Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye did not return with us.”

Florida Executes Oldest Death Row Inmate in State History Over 1982 Murder

A 74-year-old death row inmate, Dennis Sochor, has been executed in Florida, becoming the oldest prisoner ever put to death in the state’s history.

Sochor was convicted of the 1982 kidnapping and murder of 18-year-old Patricia Gifford, who disappeared on New Year’s Day after reportedly rejecting his advances.

Authorities said Gifford’s body was never recovered.

The case remained unsolved for several years until 1986, when Sochor was arrested on unrelated charges and later extradited to Florida. During the investigation, he confessed to strangling Gifford and disposing of her body.

After decades of legal appeals, Sochor was executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison in Bradford County using the state’s three-drug protocol.

The execution brings to a close one of Florida’s longest-running murder cases, more than four decades after Gifford’s disappearance.

Makinde Seeks UN Investigation into Oyo School Abduction, Says Nigerians Deserve the Full Truth

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has called for an independent international investigation into the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, saying the circumstances surrounding the incident are too serious to be ignored.

In a strongly worded statement, the governor appealed to international human rights and accountability bodies, including mechanisms within the United Nations system, to examine the kidnapping and how it eventually came to an end.

According to Makinde, the purpose of seeking international scrutiny is not to discredit Nigeria’s institutions but to ensure that the truth is established and that anyone found responsible is held accountable, regardless of their position or influence.

“The circumstances surrounding this incident are sufficiently grave and unusual to warrant independent scrutiny beyond our domestic institution,” the governor said.

Makinde further stressed that Nigerians deserve a transparent account of what happened from the moment the pupils and teachers were abducted until their release.

He said such an investigation should determine whether there were institutional failures, negligence or any form of collusion that may have contributed to the incident.

The governor also pointed out that the Constitution places the responsibility for national security on the Federal Government and the security agencies under its control, making it necessary for the public to receive a full explanation of the events.

“This is not about politics. It is about justice for the victims, reassurance for our people, and restoring public confidence that every Nigerian child can go to school without fear,” Makinde concluded.

His remarks come amid continued public debate over the circumstances surrounding the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, with different accounts emerging from government officials, security agencies and other commentators.

While the Federal Government and security agencies have maintained that the victims were rescued through a coordinated security operation, some public figures have questioned aspects of the official account.

Makinde’s latest call is expected to intensify discussions about the incident and could increase pressure for a more detailed public explanation of the operation that led to the children’s return.

Video:“Chibok Was the President’s Fault, Oyo Is the Governor’s Fault”- Seyi Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has questioned what he described as a double standard in how Nigerians react to major school abductions, comparing the recent kidnapping in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State with the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction.

Speaking during an interview, Makinde said he found it inconsistent that the Chibok incident was widely blamed on the President at the time, while the recent abduction in Oyo State has largely been blamed on him as governor.

“When Chibok happened, it was the fault of the President. But when Oyo happened, it became the fault of the Governor,” Makinde said.

The governor’s comments come days after the successful release of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area, who spent nearly two months in captivity.

The Federal Government and security agencies have maintained that the victims were rescued after a coordinated intelligence-led operation involving the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.

Makinde has repeatedly commended the security personnel involved in the operation and expressed gratitude for the safe return of the pupils and teachers. He also said the immediate priority is to reunite the victims with their families and provide them with the psychological and medical support needed after their ordeal.

His latest remarks have, however, sparked debate on social media, with some Nigerians agreeing that security challenges should not be blamed solely on state governors, while others argue that governors also have significant responsibilities in ensuring the safety of residents within their states.

The comments add another dimension to the ongoing national conversation about security, accountability and the respective roles of federal and state governments in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Watch Video: https://youtu.be/rFZ9tbD8mYA?si=3NAwJEbpPR85zmib

After 56 Days in Captivity, Tinubu Reveals How Abducted Oyo Pupils and Teachers Were Finally Rescued

President Bola Tinubu has expressed relief and joy following the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from the Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, commending Nigeria’s security agencies for ending more than seven weeks of uncertainty for the victims and their families.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force for conducting what he described as a coordinated intelligence-led operation that secured the victims’ freedom after 56 days in captivity.

According to the Presidency, the operation resulted in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, while several others were neutralised during the rescue mission. The government also maintained that the victims were rescued without collateral damage.

President Tinubu described the operation as a significant victory against criminal elements, noting that it brought an end to a tense standoff that had kept the nation anxiously awaiting the safe return of the schoolchildren and their teachers.

“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and the arrest of eight of them,” the President said.

The President acknowledged the emotional pain endured by the rescued children, their teachers, their families and Nigerians throughout the period of their captivity, describing the ordeal as deeply distressing.

He also pledged that those responsible for the abduction would face justice, including accountability for the killing of Mr. Oyedokun, who was reportedly murdered by the kidnappers during the incident.

“My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr. Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered,” Tinubu stated.

The President commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation with federal security agencies throughout the rescue operation, saying the partnership contributed significantly to the successful outcome.

He further urged the state government to strengthen security around schools to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

As part of the Federal Government’s response, President Tinubu directed emergency management agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide immediate medical care, trauma support and other relief services for the rescued children and their teachers.

The rescue marks the end of a 56-day ordeal that attracted nationwide concern and renewed calls for stronger measures to protect schools from criminal attacks.

Security agencies are expected to provide a detailed account of the rescue operation and the arrests in the coming days.

BREAKING: Tinubu’s Aide Reveals What Happened During Rescue Operation, Says Eight Suspected Kidnappers Are in DSS Custody

 Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has disclosed fresh details about the recent rescue operation that secured the freedom of kidnapped victims, revealing that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement on Friday, Onanuga also dismissed claims that the Federal Government negotiated the victims’ release by agreeing to the kidnappers’ demands.

According to him, security operatives arrested eight members of the criminal group during the operation, while several other suspects were neutralised.

He stressed that there was no quid pro quo in the rescue process despite reports that the kidnappers had demanded the release of one of their alleged leaders.

“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being prosecuted for his atrocities,” Onanuga said.

The presidential aide added that the alleged kingpin remains in custody and is facing prosecution, contrary to speculation that he may have been released as part of negotiations to secure the victims’ freedom.

Onanuga further disclosed that security agencies would provide a comprehensive account of the operation in due course.

“The security agencies will give full account soon,” he stated.

The latest update comes amid widespread public interest in how the rescue operation was carried out and whether any concessions were made to the kidnappers.

While full operational details are yet to be released, the Presidency’s statement indicates that the rescue involved coordinated security action that resulted in arrests and the neutralisation of some of the suspected criminals.

Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the arrested suspects or provided further information about the ongoing investigation.

Shemariah Media will continue to monitor developments and publish the full briefing from security agencies once it is officially released.