Governor Seyi Makinde has expressed profound gratitude following the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted during the May 15 attack on schools in Oyo State, describing the development as a moment of relief for the state and the nation.
Speaking after visiting the rescued victims, the governor confirmed that all 39 abducted pupils and five teachers had regained their freedom following a coordinated security operation involving the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
"I am just very happy the children are back—all 39 of them—and also five of the teachers. We give glory to God and say thank you to our troops and the officers," the governor said.
Makinde also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives during the operation, assuring their families that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
"We lost some officers and some of our troops as well. To all the families that have lost their loved ones in this whole process, we want to assure them that their loved ones did not die in vain," he stated.
The governor revealed that although the victims are now safe, many are still dealing with the psychological impact of their ordeal. According to him, medical professionals and trauma specialists have commenced treatment to help them recover from weeks spent in captivity.
"They are still very afraid. They have to undergo quite a bit of medical intervention. Post-traumatic issues have to be addressed," Makinde explained.
He added that the victims would remain under medical observation and psychological evaluation over the coming days before being formally transferred to the Oyo State Government for continued rehabilitation and reintegration.
The governor disclosed that arrangements were already underway to reunite the rescued children with their families, noting that some of the younger victims had repeatedly asked to see their parents.
"There is a small girl who has been asking, 'Where is my mom?' We are putting logistics together to ensure family members can come and see them," he said.
Makinde urged Nigerians to remain united in the face of the country's security challenges, emphasizing that national cohesion is essential in confronting insecurity.
"It is our country. Every nation faces challenges. When we are challenged, it is not the best time to sow seeds of division. It is the best time for us to come together and confront our challenges," he said.
The governor announced that he would provide a comprehensive briefing later in the week to explain the circumstances surrounding the rescue operation and the next steps in supporting the victims.
The rescue followed a large-scale joint operation by the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies after the pupils and teachers were abducted during attacks on schools in Oyo State on May 15. Authorities have described the operation as intelligence-led and have indicated that several suspected kidnappers were arrested while others were neutralized.
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