Dozens of students kidnapped during a rare attack in southwestern Nigeria in May have been released, the presidential spokesperson announced Friday July 10.
Gunmen, whom the Nigerian army accused of being Boko Haram jihadists, kidnapped 46 students and staff from three schools in Oyo state, in the southwest of the country, on May 15.
“Finally, all the students and teachers kidnapped in Orire, Oyo State, have been rescued by our security services,” Bayo Onanuga, a spokesperson for the Nigerian presidency, said in a post on X accompanied by photos of some of the children.
Kidnappers killed, others arrested
Southwestern Nigeria has long been considered one of the safest regions in a country plagued by multiple security crises. Kidnapping for ransom poses an ongoing challenge for authorities in Nigeria’s volatile northern regions. But mass kidnappings have been rare in the south of the country.
Oyo State is one of the most populous in Nigeria and has Ibadan as its capital, a major hub for education in the country.
Bayo Onanuga said some of the kidnappers were killed during the rescue operation and eight others were arrested. He specified that the “terrorists” had demanded the release of one of their members, currently being pursued by the authorities.
