Governor Seyi Makinde says the wait is over. All 39 pupils abducted in Oriire LGA have been rescued, alongside five of the seven teachers taken with them. But the victory came at a cost.
Speaking on Saturday after visiting the victims in hospital, Makinde confirmed that some security personnel lost their lives during the operation.
“I’m very happy the children are back, all of them, 39 of them,” he said. 
“Also, five of the seven teachers, so we give glory to God and we say thank you to our troops, the officers and men. We lost some officers and part of our troops as well.”
—“They are glad to be back”—
The Nigerian Army had on Friday announced that the victims were freed after a month-long intelligence-led operation involving troops and other security agencies.
Multiple arrests, the army said, disrupted the kidnappers’ network and forced the release.
Makinde said the pupils and teachers are receiving medical care and psychological support.
“When your freedom is taken away, it’s a different state of mind. But they are glad to be back. Some of them are still very afraid,” he said.
“They have to do quite a bit of medical intervention, post-traumatic issues to be addressed. But we have the team ready to do that.”
The governor added that the victims will remain under observation for another 48 hours before a formal handover from the military to the state, likely by Monday.
—Families to reunite—
Arrangements are being made for relatives to visit.
“But also today, we are putting logistics together to at least bring the family members to come and see them,” Makinde said.
“There’s a small girl in there that basically has been asking, ‘Where’s my mom? Where’s my mom?’ So at least we want the mom to be able to come and then see her.”
He assured families of fallen officers: “their loved ones will not have died in vain.”
—Call for Unity—
Makinde urged Nigerians to rally together against insecurity.
“It’s our country. All countries around the world, they do have challenges. So when we’re challenged, it’s not usually the best time for us to sow seeds of division. It’s the best time for us to come together and confront our challenges.”
He said he will brief Oyo residents and Nigerians later in the week on full details of the abduction and rescue.
For now, 44 families can breathe again. For the troops who didn’t return, the governor’s pledge is that their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
