It was learnt that the operation, which culminated in the rescue of all the surviving hostages, followed days of ground assaults by security personnel who reportedly advanced into the forest from multiple directions, engaging suspected kidnappers in a series of encounters.
The pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after their captors allegedly abandoned them deep inside a forest while fleeing from a security operation mounted by a joint task force, SaharaReporters has learnt.
It was learnt that the operation, which culminated in the rescue of all the surviving hostages, followed days of ground assaults by security personnel who reportedly advanced into the forest from multiple directions, engaging suspected kidnappers in a series of encounters.
A security source familiar with the operation told SaharaReporters on Friday that sustained pressure from the joint task force forced the kidnappers to scatter, eventually abandoning the schoolchildren and teachers in the bush as troops closed in on their location.
According to the source, security operatives had initially believed they would encounter the kidnappers and their captives together but soon realised the criminals had broken into smaller groups while attempting to escape.
