Bayo Onanuga, the special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has disclosed that eight suspects linked to the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been arrested.

Mr Onanuga also said that an unspecified number of suspects were killed during the rescue operation.

He disclosed this on Friday in an update posted on X shortly after announcing the rescue of the victims, who had been held hostage for nearly two months.

The presidential aide noted that the victims were rescued without any concessions to the perpetrators.

“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,” Mr Onanuga said.

“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,” he added.

Prior to the update, Mr Onanuga announced the release of the captives on X on Friday.

“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo, have been rescued by our security agencies,” he said.