The Nigerian Army has said arrests of individuals linked to the abductors of Oyo pupils and teachers forced them to release the victims unconditionally after 56 days in captivity.

The victims were abducted by bandits in three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state on May 15.

The development triggered massive protests from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and some human rights groups who called on the state governor, Seyi Makinde, and President Bola Tinubu to ensure their immediate and safe rescue.

The victims were released on Friday.

The army, in a statement by the acting Deputy Director, 2 Division, Col. Danjuma Jonah, after the victims’ release, said arrests of the kidnappers’ informants and others linked to the incident forced them to release the victims unconditionally.

“As part of the operations, multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and in other locations across some states in the country. These arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release of the pupils and teachers. Further operations are to be conducted,” the statement said.

The army said that the operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins who masterminded the kidnapping, bursting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest of the state.

Noting that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid any collateral damage, it stated that some security operatives, however, lost their lives during the rescue operation.

The statement added, “It suffices to note that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damages and to equally ensure that the innocent children and teachers were safely rescued. However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces.”

The army appreciated President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, National Scurity Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu and other top security agents whose support led to the success of the rescue operation.

It added that the pupils and teachers were currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital and would be later handed over to the state government to be reunited with their families.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu expressed joy over the development and vowed to get justice for the victims, including the mathematics teacher beheaded while in captivity.