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The presidency has dismissed claims that the government conceded to the demands of kidnappers who abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State, insisting that no deal was struck to secure their release.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said on Saturday that the rescue operation was conducted without any “quid pro quo” arrangement.
“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,” Onanuga wrote on his verified X handle.
The abductors had demanded the release of detained Ansaru commanders Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam, alongside ransom payment and other conditions.
Security agencies have successfully rescued all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo State, with one of the victims expressing appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies.
Watch 👇🏿 pic.twitter.com/dKt1QshcQ5
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) July 10, 2026
The pupils and teachers were rescued on Friday after 56 days in captivity, following a coordinated operation by security agencies in Orire Local Government Area.
Onanuga said eight of the kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while several others were neutralised.
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. There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being… pic.twitter.com/26q9himKyo
— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) July 10, 2026
He said security agencies would provide a comprehensive account of the operation in due course.
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when armed terrorists attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and two other schools in Ahoro-Esinle and Alawusa communities. Two teachers were killed during the attack.
More details to follow.
