The President stated this on Thursda y while receiving traditional rulers from Oyo State, led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Speaking on the recent rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Tinubu said the government rejected the kidnappers’ demands, which included the payment of ransom and the release of detained members of their criminal network.

“We refuse to negotiate for ransom. These criminals wanted us to release from detention members of their criminal gangs who had already been arrested. That was one of their conditions, apart from the money they were looking for, and we said, ‘No deal.’

“We are not going to negotiate with criminals. They committed murder, and we were ready to finish with them,” the President said.

Tinubu noted that some of the criminal elements operating in Nigeria were foreign nationals, adding that insecurity in neighbouring countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and the Niger Republic had worsened Nigeria’s security challenges.

He disclosed that the Federal Government was strengthening the nation’s security architecture by increasing military formations from eight to 12 divisions to improve response time against terrorism and banditry.

“We refuse to pay ransom. We know the geography of the forests. We know what it is, and in response to it, you have seen that we are moving from eight divisions to 12 divisions to shorten the response time and give that response the teeth needed for us to defeat terrorism and banditry,” Tinubu stated.

The President also reaffirmed his support for the establishment of state police, assuring Nigerians that safeguards would be put in place to prevent abuse while giving traditional rulers a role in community policing.

“We will have state police, and that state police will have guardrails against abuse. We will protect it from abuse, and you traditional rulers too will have a role to play,” he said.

He added that the Federal Government was strengthening the capacity of forest guards to tackle criminal activities within forest reserves.

“We are equally enhancing the capacity and capability of the forest guards. They are not just to chase antelopes and animals. We are going to have them chase criminals and deal with them in the forests,” Tinubu said.

The President stressed the importance of intelligence gathering and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant by reporting suspicious persons and activities within their communities.

According to him, security agencies are constantly reviewing their strategies to address emerging threats, noting that every incident provides lessons for improving operations.

Tinubu also pledged to hold regular consultations with traditional rulers across the country to receive their recommendations on governance and security.

He commended members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies for their efforts in combating insecurity and called on state governors to invest increased federal allocations in projects that enhance security and connectivity.

The President’s remarks come weeks after security operatives rescued 44 pupils and teachers abducted during the May 15 attack on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after spending 56 days in captivity.

Three suspects linked to the abduction have since been sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to terrorism-related offences, while five others are currently facing trial over the attack.

The Oyo State Government has also strengthened its security operations with the deployment of two surveillance aircraft to enhance intelligence gathering and rapid response across the state.

Channels Television

The appeal was contained in an open letter jointly signed by members of the Oyedokun family and addressed to the President on Tuesday.

The family expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers after nearly two months in captivity.

According to the family, the successful rescue operation restored hope to many families, but theirs remains in mourning because Oyedokun’s body has not been recovered.

“We sincerely thank Your Excellency for the efforts of the Federal Government, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security and intelligence agencies whose dedication and sacrifice led to the successful rescue of the kidnapped victims in Oyo State.

“The safe return of these victims has restored hope to their families and reaffirmed our confidence in the Government’s commitment to protecting the lives and liberty of its citizens. For this, we are deeply grateful,” the letter read.

The family said the inability to recover Oyedokun’s remains has prolonged their grief and denied them the opportunity to give him a dignified burial.

“Our beloved relative, Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, tragically lost his life while in captivity. Although the rescue operation was successful, his remains have yet to be recovered and returned to us for a dignified burial in accordance with our faith, traditions, and values.

“The absence of his body has prolonged our grief and denied our family the closure that every human being deserves. We continue to live with the pain of not knowing where he rests, unable to perform the final rites that would honour his memory and bring peace to our hearts,” the family stated.

The family appealed to President Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the slain teacher’s remains, expressing confidence that the same determination that secured the release of the surviving victims could also bring closure to their family.

“Your Excellency, we respectfully appeal that you direct the relevant security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and recover the remains of Mr. Michael Olugbade Oyedokun.

“We are confident that the same resolve which secured the freedom of the surviving victims can also ensure that his body is returned to his family,” the letter added.

The family further described the recovery of Oyedokun’s body as a humanitarian obligation that would restore dignity to his memory and allow them to begin the healing process.

“Recovering his remains is more than a humanitarian act; it is a solemn obligation that reflects the dignity of every Nigerian life. It would demonstrate that no citizen is forgotten, abandoned, or denied dignity, even in death.

“We earnestly hope this appeal will receive your compassionate and urgent consideration, so that we may finally lay our beloved husband, father, brother, and son to rest with the honour and dignity he deserves, and begin the difficult journey toward healing,” the letter stated.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that the rescued principal of Community High School, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, disclosed that Oyedokun was beheaded by the kidnappers on the second day of captivity, while another teacher, Esiyan Adegboye, was shot dead during the attack.

According to Alamu, the abductors killed the two teachers to pressure the government into meeting their demands.

While Adegboye’s body was recovered and buried in Ogbomoso on May 22, Oyedokun’s remains have yet to be found despite the successful rescue of the remaining abducted pupils and teachers after 57 days in captivity.

In a statement, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, commended President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Intelligence Agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies for their efforts, which led to the successful rescue of the abducted schoolchildren.

Archbishop Okoh described the rescue as a moment of great relief and gratitude, noting that the successful operation reflects the commitment of the nation’s security institutions to protecting lives and restoring hope to affected families.

The CAN President also assured that the Christian Association of Nigeria will continue to pray for the full recovery, healing and rehabilitation of all those rescued, while urging sustained efforts to strengthen security across the country and prevent similar incidents.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a follow-up post on his verified X account on Friday, shortly after announcing the successful rescue of the victims.

According to Onanuga, the rescue was carried out without any concession to the kidnappers, stressing that no ransom or prisoner exchange was made to secure the victims’ freedom.

He also clarified that the terrorist kingpin whose release was demanded by the abductors remains in custody and is currently being prosecuted for terrorism-related offences.

“Updated: In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised,” Onanuga wrote.

“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. The security agencies will give full account soon.”

He added that security agencies would provide a detailed account of the operation in due course.

The pupils and teachers had spent weeks in captivity after gunmen attacked three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Orire Local Government Area on May 15. During the attack, one teacher was killed, while another was later beheaded in captivity, an incident that sparked widespread outrage across the country.

The President made the declaration on Friday in a post on his verified X account after security agencies successfully rescued the victims, who had spent 56 days in captivity.

“Tonight, our nation has reason to give thanks.

“The children and teachers abducted by Ansaru terrorists in Oyo State have been rescued by our security forces, alive and unharmed. No ransom was paid. No concession was made,” Tinubu wrote.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities of Oriire Local Government Area. About 39 pupils and seven teachers were taken away during the attack.

One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed while in captivity.

The kidnappers, believed to be members of the Ansaru terrorist group, had reportedly demanded the release of two detained commanders—Mahmud Muhammad Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Mahmud al-Nigeri, also known as Abubakar Abba or Isah Adam. The Federal Government rejected the demand, which was later confirmed in a viral video recorded by one of the abducted teachers.

Commending the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, Tinubu described the successful rescue as a testament to the courage, professionalism and coordination of the security agencies.

“I salute every officer and operative whose courage, discipline, and professionalism made this possible,” the President said.

He also warned terrorists that his administration would continue to pursue those threatening the nation’s peace and security.

“To those who seek to spread fear through terror, know that the Nigerian state will pursue you relentlessly. We will protect our people, defend our communities, and never relent until peace and security prevail across our country,” he stated.

In a separate statement, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that the rescue followed a coordinated military, police and intelligence-led operation.

According to Onanuga, eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation, while several others were neutralised. He also reiterated that there was no prisoner swap, noting that the terrorist kingpin whose release was demanded by the abductors remains in custody and is facing prosecution.

Tinubu further commended the Oyo State Government for its cooperation throughout the operation and directed relevant emergency agencies to work with the state government to provide medical care, counselling and other support for the rescued pupils and teachers.

The President also pledged justice for the victims and the family of Michael 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 successful operation ended 56 days of captivity, bringing one of the country’s longest school abduction incidents in recent months to a close.

The successful rescue was announced on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In a post on his verified X account, Onanuga confirmed that security agencies rescued all the victims.

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

He added that no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the victims’ release.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a school principal, were taken during the coordinated attacks.

During the invasion, a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape. Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded while in captivity, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage.

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, the payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law before releasing the captives.

However, both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government maintained that no ransom would be paid and no concession would be made to the abductors.

The abduction sparked widespread concern across the country, prompting the Nigeria Union of Teachers to embark on a month-long strike in Oyo State to demand the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.

The rescue followed weeks of coordinated operations by the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, bringing an end to one of the country’s longest school abduction incidents in recent months.

Musa disclosed this in a preview clip of an interview with News Central, released on Wednesday ahead of the full broadcast of the NC Exclusive programme on Friday.

According to the minister, the kidnappers are using the abducted children as bargaining chips to demand the release of some of their commanders currently in military custody.

“For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us, and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander,” Musa said.

“And now they’re threatening, when we wanted to take action against them, that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids,” he added.

The minister’s comments come nearly eight weeks after armed men abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and two other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, on May 15.

Speaking further during the interview with News Central, Musa also advocated the death penalty for kidnappers, arguing that tougher punishment was necessary to curb the growing menace of abduction across the country.

“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” he said.

Security sources said recent operations have led to the identification of several associates linked to the kidnappers, with operatives tracing them to different parts of the country. The development is said to have unsettled the abductors and weakened their confidence.

The victims were abducted on May 15 when gunmen invaded Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area, taking away 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers.

Since the incident, the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government and security agencies have continued coordinated efforts to secure the safe release of the victims.

According to security sources, the latest breakthrough followed weeks of intelligence gathering by the Department of State Services (DSS), which enabled operatives to identify members of the kidnapping network and launch operations targeting their collaborators.

The renewed operations are also said to have thrown the kidnappers’ camp into disarray, with the abductors becoming increasingly concerned after realising that security agencies had identified key members of their support network.

A security source familiar with the operation said the sustained pressure had made the kidnappers more willing to negotiate the release of the captives.

“The kidnappers are becoming increasingly apprehensive. Their confidence has been shaken, and they are now showing greater willingness to release the children,” the source said.

It was further gathered that while security agencies continue to clamp down on the kidnappers’ associates, a joint team of DSS operatives and military personnel is steadily closing in on the abductors’ hideout, raising hopes that the victims could soon regain their freedom.

The intensified operations have also reportedly forced the kidnappers to soften their initial demands.

The abductors had earlier demanded the release of Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, both identified by security agencies as senior members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a breakaway faction of Boko Haram. The two suspects were arrested by DSS operatives last year.

Security sources said the kidnappers are now believed to be more concerned about escaping the ongoing security operations than pursuing their earlier demands.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, has confirmed progress in the ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Port Harcourt, Shaibu said military operations aimed at securing the release of the victims were advancing steadily.

“Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children abducted in Oyo State, and we are making tremendous progress,” he said.

The Army Chief expressed confidence that the operation would end with the safe rescue of the victims, stressing that the Nigerian Army remains committed to tackling security threats across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

Highlighting recent military successes, Shaibu disclosed that troops under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East had neutralised more than 1,872 insurgents, while many others had surrendered.

He also revealed that troops, working alongside United States partners, recently eliminated high-profile Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

According to him, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Whirlwind and the newly established Operation Savannah Shield have continued to record successes across the North-Central, improving security in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and parts of Kogi states.

Shaibu added that security had improved significantly in the South-East, while sustained operations against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism had boosted Nigeria’s oil production in the South-South.

Describing the South-West as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful regions, he said the recent abduction in Oyo State was an isolated incident.

He further disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, which, alongside existing depots in Zaria, Kaduna State, and Osogbo, Osun State, is expected to increase the Army’s annual recruitment and training capacity to about 28,000 personnel.

Shaibu also announced that the Nigerian Army had acquired additional armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles to strengthen ongoing operations, while troops continue to undergo specialised training both within and outside Nigeria to improve operational effectiveness.

TRIBUNE

The attack occurred while students were sitting for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination. Terrorists reportedly killed two teachers and abducted an unspecified number of students, throwing the community into panic.

Speaking on Tuesday, some parents said the Borno State Government had opened a register for families to report missing children.

One of the parents, Mr. Mbula Bura, whose 19-year-old daughter, Esther, remains missing, said 37 names had been recorded on the register.

“Parents who could not find their children were asked to register their names. So far, 37 children have been listed as missing. My daughter, Esther Mbula, who is in SS2, is among them,” he said.

Another parent, Mr. Emmanuel Dari, said his 16-year-old daughter, Lucy, was among those abducted during the attack.

“My daughter was in the classroom when the terrorists invaded the school. We were hopeful after hearing that some victims had been rescued, but when I got there, my daughter was not among them. Since yesterday, our family has not known peace,” he said.

He added that the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, visited the community to assess the situation and sympathise with affected families.

A resident of Lassa, Bitrus Milnda, also confirmed that two of his relatives,Martha Wajau and Abori Ujulu, both SS1 students—were still missing.

Efforts to get a response from the Borno State Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, were unsuccessful as he neither answered calls nor responded to enquiries.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army had earlier confirmed the rescue of 10 abducted students and teachers during a coordinated operation carried out by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, with support from the Air Component.

The Acting Military Information Officer of the North-East Joint Task Force, Capt. Muhammed Goni, said the rescue operation followed a fierce gun battle with the attackers around the Daggu area.

He noted that although 10 victims were rescued unharmed, one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force lost their lives during the operation. Troops also recovered seven motorcycles while efforts continue to locate and rescue the remaining abducted victims.

Speaking in a video obtained on Monday, Namaske said the attackers abducted two teachers and more than 20 students while candidates were writing the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination.

According to him, the situation changed when a Nigerian military aircraft began hovering over the area, forcing the insurgents into disarray.

He explained that the terrorists started dispersing after the aircraft appeared, while gunfire from advancing troops created an opportunity for the captives to flee.

“When the military aircraft started hovering over us, the terrorists began to scatter. As we heard gunshots from the soldiers, they fled in different directions, giving us the chance to escape. The soldiers then rescued us,” he said.

Namaske disclosed that the abductees included two teachers and more than 20 students, although he could not immediately confirm the exact number.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army said troops of Operation Hadin Kai successfully rescued 10 abducted teachers and students during a coordinated search-and-rescue operation supported by the Air Component of the operation.

Acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Muhammed Goni, said troops responded immediately after receiving reports of the attack, deploying both strike and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft to assist ground forces.

He explained that troops engaged the fleeing terrorists around the Daggu area, leading to the successful rescue of 10 victims, who were recovered unharmed and are receiving necessary care.

Goni added that troops inflicted casualties on the terrorists during the operation and recovered seven motorcycles used by the insurgents.

He, however, disclosed that one soldier and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force lost their lives during the firefight.

The military said efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining abductees and apprehend those responsible for the attack.

PUNCH