Oyo: ‘Where Are The Kidnappers And Their Sponsors’ – Nigerians Demand Proof Of Arrest

The rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has drawn mixed reactions from Nigerians, with many celebrating their safe return while demanding fuller disclosure of how the operation was carried out.

NEWSNGR had earlier reported that the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development on Friday through a post on 𝕏.

Onanuga wrote, “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo, have been rescued by our security agencies.

“One of the rescued teachers in Oyo sends a thank you message to President Tinubu and the security agencies.”

In a video accompanying the presidential aide’s post, the Principal of Community High School, Rachael Alamu, expressed gratitude to Tinubu and the security personnel involved in securing their freedom.

She said, “President sir, our father, we are grateful. We understand your commitment to our safety, and we appreciate all you did for us.

“And every security operative tried so much, and that is why we are still alive today. God bless you.”

Nigerians Seek Details Of Operation

Despite the celebrations, several social media users questioned the circumstances surrounding the rescue and asked the authorities to provide a detailed account of the operation.

An 𝕏 user, Hosea, who posts as #hoseatolu, asked whether any of the abductors had been arrested.

“Where are the kidnappers? How were they rescued? Nigerians deserve an answer. You can’t just rescue those children and their teachers without apprehending any of the bandits,” he wrote.

Another user, #salees01, congratulated the victims and their relatives but demanded evidence of the reported arrests.

“Congratulations to the families of the rescued pupils and their teachers. But where are the pictures of the purported terrorists arrested in the course of the rescue as claimed?” the user asked.

Similarly, #Castle_Rep welcomed the victims’ release but said the government must explain how the operation unfolded and what steps were being taken to prevent similar incidents.

“This is great news. These people need justice and the government should do what is right. Where are the kidnappers? How were they released? What is the government doing to curb insecurity? These are the questions we need to ask,” the user said.

Another commenter, #God_streasure7, called on the authorities to release a comprehensive account of the rescue.

“Make dem give full account abeg. We need to know what really happened,” the user wrote.

For #LionelKuti, the government should identify the suspected terrorists, their alleged sponsors and the location where the operation took place.

“Name the terrorists and their sponsors. Name the location where the rescue operation happened and let Nigerians verify,” the user said.

Another user, #REPRESENT042, demanded visual evidence of arrests reportedly made during the operation.

“We need videos and pictures if they were truly caught. For too long we have heard claims about arrests or terrorists being neutralised without proof,” the user wrote.

Echoing the demand, #loverbird0 said Nigerians should be shown the suspects rather than merely being told that they were being held by the Department of State Services.

“We want to see the faces of the terrorists. Don’t hide them in DSS custody if this is not a staged drama,” the user alleged.

Nigerians Call For Prosecution

Some Nigerians also called for the immediate prosecution of anyone arrested in connection with the abduction.

#EdmundOnoriode urged the authorities to ensure the suspects faced justice without delay.

“All those arrested should be publicly paraded and brought to swift justice immediately,” the user wrote.

Others focused on the positive outcome of the operation and encouraged security personnel to sustain the pressure on criminal groups.

“Finally, this is good news. Now our gallant security forces should go after the criminals and bring them to justice. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” #immob2 wrote.

Another user, #StixxSunny, thanked God for the victims’ freedom and urged the government to strengthen preventive security measures around vulnerable communities and schools.

“Thanks be to God. I hope the government puts more measures in place to prevent this from happening again,” the user said.