The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has described the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as a major victory for Nigeria’s security forces and a validation of the Federal Government’s intelligence-led, inter-agency approach to combating terrorism and kidnapping.
In a statement signed by its Chairman Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Danjuma Sada, the Forum said the safe recovery of the children and their teachers after 56 days in captivity, without payment of ransom or collateral damage, demonstrated the professionalism of security agencies security involved in the operation.
It said: “We also note that the arrest of eight suspected abductors and the neutralisation of other terrorists further demonstrates the resolve of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to rescue victims while ensuring that those who threaten the lives and security of Nigerians are brought to justice.
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“For us, the succccesful reacue operation demonstrates the effectiveness of sustained intelligence gathering, unified command, inter-agency cooperation and operational pressure in confronting complex security threats while prioritising the safety of innocent citizens.
“The fact that the victims were rescued without ransom payment validates Federal Government’s policy that terrorists, bandits and kidnappers must not be allowed to profit from the abduction of innocent citizens,” it said.
The Forum commended President Tinubu for providing the leadership required to mobilise the country’s security architecture towards securing the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
TSF also praised the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs and personnel of the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and all other security and intelligence agencies that contributed to the successful rescue operation.
The Forum further commended the Oyo State Government for cooperating with the Federal Government and security agencies throughout the rescue effort, noting that effective federal-state collaboration remains essential to confronting security threats and protecting communities.
TSF, however, condemned individuals who masqueraded as activists and circulated false and unverified claims that the abducted pupils and teachers had been moved to northern Nigeria.
“The rescue of the victims from the Old Oyo National Park forest exposed the widely circulated claims as false and demonstrated the danger of speculation, sensational claims and divisive regional narratives as facts during sensitive security operations.
“The attempt to inject unsupported regional narrative into the abduction of innocent children is reckless and irresponsible. Such misinformation was capable of spreading fear, inflaming regional suspicion and undermining public confidence in ongoing rescue efforts.
“Activism must be anchored on truth, responsibility and public interest. Those who rushed to tell Nigerians that the abducted pupils and teachers had been moved to the North, without evidence, owe the country an explanation and apology for circulating information that has now been shown to be false,” TSF stated.
TSF urged activists, political actors, public commentators and media practitioners to verify sensitive claims before presenting them as facts, stressing that freedom of expression must be exercised responsibly, particularly when lives are at risk and security operations are ongoing.
The Forum welcomed President Tinubu’s directive to relevant emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government in providing the rescued pupils and teachers with medical care, psycho-social support and other necessary assistance before reintegrating them with their families and communities.
TSF also supported the President’s unwavering commitment to securing justice for the rescued victims and the family of Mr Oyedokun, who was killed by the terrorists, stressing that the successful rescue must be followed by a thorough investigation and diligent prosecution of those found to have participated in the abduction.
The Forum urged the Federal Government and state governments to build on the lessons from the operation by strengthening intelligence sharing, improving security around schools and vulnerable communities and sustaining coordinated action against terrorists and criminal groups across the country.
“The safe return of the Oyo pupils and teachers is a victory for their families, Nigeria’s security forces and the country as a whole. It sends a clear message that the Nigerian state will pursue terrorists relentlessly to rescue victims and refuse to make kidnapping profitable through the payment of ransom,” TSF concluded.
