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| Rescued hostages |
The Nigerian Army has revealed how its troops, working alongside other security agencies and local stakeholders, secured the release of students from the Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology, Igboora, who were abducted while travelling for an academic excursion.
The students were kidnapped on Tuesday after armed men intercepted their bus along the Lanlate-Eruwa road in Oyo State. The incident sparked widespread concern among families, school authorities and residents, with security agencies immediately launching a coordinated rescue operation.
Speaking on the successful mission, the Commander of the 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Obinna Onubogu, said the students regained their freedom through sustained military pressure rather than the payment of ransom.
According to him, troops were swiftly deployed to comb forests and other suspected hideouts used by the kidnappers. The operation involved close collaboration with the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local vigilantes and community leaders.
General Onubogu explained that the continuous surveillance and aggressive pursuit mounted by security operatives left the kidnappers with little room to operate. Faced with mounting pressure from the combined security team, the criminals eventually abandoned their captives, allowing all the students to regain their freedom safely.
He dismissed reports suggesting that ransom was paid to secure the students' release, insisting that the rescue was achieved through intelligence-driven operations and coordinated action among the participating security agencies.
The Army commander also commended residents of the affected communities for providing timely information that helped security personnel track the movement of the kidnappers. He noted that cooperation between the military and local communities remains essential in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.
While expressing relief over the safe return of the students, Onubogu assured Nigerians that troops would continue offensive operations to track down those responsible for the abduction and bring them to justice.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation is vital in improving security across the country.
The successful rescue has been welcomed by the Oyo State Government, parents and members of the public, who praised the swift response of the security agencies involved in the operation.
Although the students have regained their freedom, authorities said efforts are ongoing to identify, arrest and prosecute every individual connected to the kidnapping. Security agencies also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening surveillance along major highways and vulnerable communities to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The rescue comes amid renewed efforts by the Nigerian military and other security agencies to curb kidnapping and violent crime across different parts of the country, particularly in areas where criminal gangs have increasingly targeted travellers and educational institutions.