By Andre Viljoen, Gateway News.
Nigerian security forces have rescued dozens of schoolchildren and teachers nearly two months after they were abducted by suspected Boko Haram-linked Islamic militants, raising fresh concerns that Islamist extremists are expanding their reach into southwestern Nigeria, officials said.
President Bola Tinubu announced last Friday that all those abducted during coordinated raids on three schools in Oyo State on May 15 had been freed following what officials described as a joint military, police, and intelligence-led operation.
Authorities said at least 39 pupils and six teachers were rescued. Eight suspected militants were arrested, while several others were killed during the operation. One teacher reportedly died in captivity shortly after the abduction.
“I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers,” Tinubu said, praising the operation and describing it as the end of an ordeal lasting more than 50 days.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said security forces located the hostages after weeks of searches in and around Old Oyo National Park, where officials believed they had been held.
Officials said the kidnappers had demanded the release of one of their members facing prosecution, but security forces instead launched the rescue operation that freed the captives while arresting eight suspects.