ABUJA – Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has commended President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security chiefs for the successful rescue of all teachers and pupils abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the operation as a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the Labour Party lawmaker said the rescue operation had renewed public confidence in the country’s security architecture and demonstrated that criminal groups could no longer dictate Nigeria’s security narrative.
Agbese praised President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, the service chiefs, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security agencies for what he described as a highly coordinated and intelligence-driven operation.
According to him, the successful mission reflects the growing effectiveness of the Federal Government’s security strategy and the determination of the armed forces to pursue terrorists, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the country.
“The rescue of every pupil and teacher abducted in Oriire is far more than the successful conclusion of a security operation. It is a powerful statement that Nigeria is rising above those who seek to define us by violence and fear,” Agbese said.
He added that the operation had reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian life is valued and protected.
“President Bola Tinubu, our security chiefs and the gallant men and women of our armed forces have restored our glory before the world by proving that no Nigerian life is expendable and that our nation has both the capacity and the resolve to confront criminality head-on,” he stated.
The lawmaker noted that the Oriire rescue followed a series of successful military operations in different parts of the country, which he said demonstrated that security forces were steadily gaining the upper hand against terrorists, bandits and other armed groups.
He cited recent operations under Operation FANSAN YAMMA in Zamfara and Katsina states, where troops reportedly foiled coordinated terrorist attacks, neutralised a notorious terrorist commander, recovered arms and ammunition, and, with support from air operations, intercepted hundreds of terrorists advancing on motorcycles before they could attack vulnerable communities.
According to Agbese, these operations are evidence that the military has maintained the initiative in confronting criminal groups and is intensifying efforts to restore peace across affected regions.
He further stated that recent security operations had led to the rescue of several kidnapped victims, the destruction of terrorist camps, the elimination of key terrorist leaders and the recovery of weapons used in attacks on communities.
He expressed confidence that the consistency of these achievements would reassure Nigerians that the country’s security institutions remain committed to protecting lives and safeguarding national security.
Describing the recent operations as a model of intelligence-led security, Agbese said security agencies had continued to record significant successes through effective collaboration, including rescuing victims, preventing attacks, dismantling criminal hideouts and restricting the movement of terrorists.
He urged Nigerians to support the military and other security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence that would assist ongoing operations and prevent future attacks.
The federal lawmaker also appealed to communities across the country to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to sustain the progress already made in tackling insecurity.
Addressing criminal groups still operating in forests and remote locations, Agbese urged them to surrender, warning that the security forces had gained significant operational momentum.
He maintained that every successful rescue mission, the neutralisation of terrorist commanders and the dismantling of criminal networks were bringing Nigeria closer to achieving lasting peace and security.
Agbese expressed optimism that with sustained political support for the armed forces and continued collaboration among all security agencies, the country would record even greater successes in the fight against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping while restoring peace and stability nationwide.
Oriire Rescue: Agbese Hails Tinubu, Security Chiefs, Says Nigeria Regaining Upper Hand Against Criminals
