President Bola Tinubu on Friday hailed the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, after 56 days in captivity, commending the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force for the operation.

The President said eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the rescue mission, while several others were neutralised, describing the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity and a source of relief to the victims, their families and the country.

Tinubu’s commendation was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

He expressed sympathy for the pupils, teachers and their families over the trauma they endured during the nearly two-month ordeal, assuring them that his administration would ensure those responsible for the crime faced justice.

“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.

He added, “This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular. On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers.”

Tinubu vowed that his administration would prosecute those behind the abduction, including those responsible for the killing of one of the teachers, Mr Oyedokun.

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

The President also commended the Oyo State Government for working closely with the Federal Government throughout the rescue operation.

“I must commend the Government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end,” he added.

Tinubu further directed relevant emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide the rescued pupils and teachers with immediate medical attention, psychosocial support and other relief assistance to aid their recovery.

He also urged the Oyo State Government to strengthen security around schools to forestall similar incidents in the future.

There was widespread relief on Friday as the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after days in captivity.

The development was announced by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X handle.

Onanuga wrote, “Finally, the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been freed by their abductors.”

Shortly after the announcement, a video circulating online showed the freed victims expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and security operatives for securing their release.

In the video, some of the victims thanked the President for his intervention and commended the efforts of security agencies, saying they were grateful to have regained their freedom after the traumatic ordeal.

The development brought an end to days of anxiety for the victims’ families, colleagues and residents of the affected communities, who had waited in hope for their safe return.

As of the time of filing this report, the Federal Government and security agencies had yet to disclose the circumstances surrounding the victims’ release, including whether any ransom was paid or whether their freedom was secured through negotiations or a rescue operation.

Details later.

The Senate on Thursday approved a total of ₦403.1 billion for the Nigerian Police Trust Fund for the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years in a move aimed at strengthening policing and supporting the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other security threats across the country.

The approval comes as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising cases of violent crimes, with many citizens calling for stronger security measures and better-equipped law enforcement agencies.

The upper chamber approved ₦170.1 billion for the Police Trust Fund’s 2025 budget and ₦233 billion for the 2026 fiscal year.

The approved 2026 appropriation covers personnel costs, capital projects and overhead expenditures designed to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigeria Police Force.

Lawmakers expressed optimism that the funding would improve the provision of critical equipment, operational infrastructure, training and other resources required to strengthen security operations and improve the country’s response to terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality.

The intervention is expected to boost the operational effectiveness of police personnel, who have repeatedly faced challenges ranging from inadequate equipment to poor logistics while combating insecurity.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has transmitted a bill to the Senate seeking a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s criminal justice system through the repeal and reenactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and replace it with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2026, as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s criminal justice framework and improve the administration of justice.

One of the major innovations contained in the bill is the establishment of a Criminal Justice Monitoring Council, which will oversee the implementation of the law in courts within the Federal Capital Territory and other federal courts across the country.

In a letter read during plenary, Tinubu said the proposed legislation was intended to address procedural gaps and long-standing challenges that had slowed the dispensation of justice in Nigeria.

According to the President, the bill will also align Nigeria’s criminal justice system with modern realities by promoting the deployment of technology, introducing innovative legal processes and enhancing the effective implementation of the law by relevant institutions.

The proposed legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative consideration before its eventual passage.