By David Adeoye
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo on Monday in Ibadan received the 44 kidnap victims from Oriire Local Government Area of the state who were rescued by security operatives last Friday.
The rescued victims, made up of pupils, students, and their teachers were handed over to the governor by the General Officer Commanding, 2 Div, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebuife.
Speaking during the handover, Makinde expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of Nigeria’s security agencies for their swift response.
“Incidents like this have happened across the country, but when it came to Oyo State, the whole world rose to the occasion.
“In over seven years as governor, this is the first time I’m witnessing something like this in Oyo State. I pray this is the last time,” he said.
The governor described the 56 days the victims spent in captivity as traumatic, noting that the road to recovery would be long.
“What they went through in 56 days cannot be undone in 56 months,” he added.
Makinde assured the teachers and students that the state government would ensure their careers and education were not disrupted.
“We will keep supporting you, especially during this period,” he pledged.
On their health, the governor said the victims would remain under the care of the state government for 24 to 48 hours for medical evaluation, saying that their parents would be allowed access afterward.
“After this, we want to be sure you are medically okay and also ensure a safe reunion with your families.
“So, on behalf of the state, we now officially take responsibility for the teachers and students.
“The state government will provide all the necessary support,” the governor declared.
Earlier, Nnebuife said the operation that led to the rescue of the 44 abductees was a month-long search.
According to the GOC, initial efforts on the day of the abduction yielded no results.
“The following day, a search team comprising troops, hunters, local vigilantes and Amotekun was deployed into the thick forest.
“Because of the nature of the forest, how thick it is, we had drone teams, we have Nigerian Air Force following up.
“But in some of those areas, if you are under that place, you can’t see rays of sunlight.
“Both air and drone surveillance failed to locate the victims, forcing the military to insist on ground operation,” he said.
The GOC explained that it was during one of those operations that the military recorded casualties.
Nnebuife further said he later took over the operation from the garrison commander and coordinated forces drawn from across the country.
According to him, agencies involved included: National Counter Terrorism Unit, under the Office of the National Security Advisor and Defence Headquarters Special Forces Team, comprising Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, DSS, Civil Defence and NIA.
He added that Nigerian Police, DSS and Nigerian Air Force formations in Oyo State; Air Force tactical operations group from Kainji with fighter aircraft;
Operation Savannah Shield troops from Kwara for blocking operations, and
Local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun, were part of the operations.
He disclosed that the teams also had to look for other members of the gang and even members of their families outside of Oyo to Adamawa, Kano and different parts of the country.
According to him, this was also what put further pressure on them,” the GOC stated.
Speaking on behalf of the abductees, Mrs Rachael Alamu, appreciated President Bola Tinubu, Gov. Makinde and the security agencies for safe return, describing the 56 days in the bush as “harrowed experience”.
Alamu disclosed that two of them were killed while in captivity.
According to her, one Mr Matthew was killed on the second day they were abducted while Michael Oyedokun was killed on the first Sunday of June.
She said the two victims were killed so as to force government to yield to their demands.
She said it was until they were rescued that they discovered that the whole world was interested in their case.
“We thought we were a write-off.
“So on behalf of everyone, we are saying thank you from the depth of our hearts.
“We appreciate all you have done, the efforts you have put in so that we all came out alive,” she said. (NAN)
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