The Presidency has dismissed claims that any agreement was reached with the abductors responsible for the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, insisting that the victims were rescued without any concessions.
Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Friday that security operatives arrested eight members of the kidnapping gang during the rescue mission, while several others were killed.
He also revealed that one of the gang leaders whose release had reportedly been demanded by the kidnappers remains in custody and is currently facing prosecution.
“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 on his X account.
“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.”
The Latin phrase quid pro quo refers to an arrangement in which something is exchanged for another benefit. By stating there was “no quid pro quo,” the Presidency stressed that the rescue was carried out without yielding to the kidnappers’ demands.
The victims were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School, all located in Oriire LGA.
Following the attack, the Oyo State Government shut schools in four local government areas as security agencies launched operations to locate and rescue those taken.
The incident also sparked protests in different parts of the country, with demonstrators calling for the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
On May 18, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed that one of the kidnapped teachers had been killed by the abductors.
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Speaking during a press briefing, the governor described the incident as painful and assured residents that efforts to rescue the remaining victims would continue.
Earlier, on July 5, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said troops were making “tremendous progress” in the operation to free the 39 abducted pupils and seven teachers.