The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, has praised President Bola Tinubu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu for the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Head of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, Oluremi Omowaiye, Oyebamiji described the victims’ safe return after 56 days in captivity as a major success for Nigeria’s security agencies.

He commended President Tinubu’s handling of the crisis, saying his refusal to negotiate with the abductors and approval of the deployment of 1,000 forest guards demonstrated a firm commitment to protecting lives and improving security.

Oyebamiji also applauded the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies for what he described as a well-coordinated, intelligence-led operation.

According to the statement, the operation secured the release of the victims without collateral damage, while several suspected terrorists were neutralised and others arrested.

The APC candidate, however, expressed sympathy to the families of those who lost loved ones during the abduction, particularly the family of teacher Michael Oyedokun, who was killed while in captivity.

He also raised concerns about the security situation in Osun State, urging the state government to strengthen its security architecture to better protect residents.

The victims were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. During the attack, Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan was killed while attempting to escape, while teacher Michael Oyedokun was later murdered in captivity.