The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has praised President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s security agencies following the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Agbese described the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against insecurity, saying it showed that Nigeria’s security forces have the capacity and determination to confront terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal groups.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Labour Party lawmaker congratulated President Tinubu, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, service chiefs, the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies for what he called a successful display of intelligence and coordination.
He said the rescue was more than just a security operation, describing it as a sign that the country was making progress in the battle against criminal elements.
Agbese noted that the operation followed other recent military successes, including attacks against terrorist groups in Zamfara and Katsina states, where security forces reportedly neutralised criminals, recovered weapons and disrupted planned attacks.
According to him, the series of operations showed that security agencies were becoming more effective in protecting Nigerians and restoring confidence in the nation’s security system.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies by providing useful information that could help prevent attacks and improve ongoing operations.
The lawmaker also warned terrorists and bandits still operating in the country to surrender, saying the momentum of security forces was growing stronger.
“Every successful rescue, every terrorist commander neutralised and every criminal network dismantled brings Nigeria closer to lasting peace,” he said.
Agbese’s comments came shortly after Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the rescue of the pupils and teachers who had spent 56 days in captivity.
Makinde visited the victims at the 2 Division Nigerian Army Medical Services, Odogbo Barracks, Ibadan, where he said they would remain under medical observation for 48 hours before being reunited with their families.
The governor also expressed sympathy to families of those who died during the abduction and promised to provide more details about the incident and the rescue operation in the coming days.
