The family of Mary Habila, a 26-year-old nurse who passed away on June 27, has formally requested that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, intervene to expedite the release of her body for burial. The appeal was presented on Friday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja by the family’s legal representative, Kaile Yusuf, who was joined by the deceased’s grieving relatives and colleagues.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Olatunde Olutuye Zaccheaus, a school counsellor abducted during a raid in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area, has shared his traumatic experience after spending 56 days in captivity. As both the last person seized by the gunmen and the final victim to be released, Zaccheaus provided a detailed, emotional account during an interview on Nigeria Info’s Morning Crossfire program. The circumstances surrounding the victims’ release—whether it was the result of a security operation or negotiations—remain a subject of public debate.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Zaccheaus recalled that the assault began with the sudden sound of motorcycles, followed immediately by sporadic gunfire. As panic erupted, students raised the alarm, shouting, “Bandits, bandits, bandits” as the attackers breached the school grounds.

In a desperate bid to escape, Zaccheaus attempted to jump through a window, but the landing severely aggravated an existing arthritic condition in his left leg, leaving him unable to walk. Urging his students to save themselves, he hid in thick vegetation, attempting to camouflage himself with leaves. However, his location was discovered after a student, who refused to leave his side, inadvertently signaled his position to the gang’s commander. The commander, who had been masked, revealed his face and ordered the teacher to stand up, marking the beginning of his 56-day captivity.

Life in Captivity While in the forest, the victims were subjected to strict rules. Although the kidnappers spoke Yoruba, English, and other languages, Zaccheaus noted they did not appear to be of Yoruba origin. The captors also imposed restrictions on religious practices, forbidding the victims from praying aloud or invoking the name of Jesus. Curiously, the teacher noted that a medication provided by his captors offered unexpected relief for his chronic arthritis, allowing him to regain his mobility.

The Release Zaccheaus described a surreal shift in his captors’ demeanor on the day of their release. The gunmen, who had kept the victims chained and blindfolded, suddenly began laughing and smiling, telling the captives to thank God for their freedom. The release was momentarily complicated when the key to Zaccheaus’s handcuffs broke, leading to a frightening moment where one captor suggested amputating his hand before others intervened to release him with a rope instead.

After being abandoned in the forest, a disoriented Zaccheaus was briefly called back at gunpoint by the group’s leader—whom he identified as an ISWAP member—and directed toward the path taken by the other victims. The group eventually trekked for an hour to reach motorcycles, followed by another 90-minute walk to reach government security personnel.

While expressing gratitude for the state government’s involvement, Zaccheaus characterized their survival as a miracle of divine intervention and public prayer, noting that the school had never before faced such a targeted abduction.

• On May 15, terrorists abducted a large number of pupils and teachers from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • The 56-day captivity caused significant fear in the region and led to concerns that mass school kidnappings were expanding into the South-West.

  • During this period, two teachers lost their lives, adding to the families’ distress.

  • A multi-agency security operation, coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, and the police, was launched to locate the victims.

  Recovery and Medical Care

  • The remaining victims were freed on July 10, 56 days after their abduction.

  • After initial debriefing and medical checks at the Odogbo Military Cantonment, they were transferred to the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital for comprehensive care.

  • Professionals monitored the victims for trauma and complications stemming from their time in captivity.

  • The Chief Medical Director reported that 31 children were eventually discharged as medically fit, while others continued treatment, including one child discovered to have a previously undiagnosed congenital heart defect.

  Controversy and Political Debate

  • The circumstances of the release sparked national debate regarding whether the victims were “rescued” via military action or “released” through negotiations.

  • Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for a United Nations-led investigation into the incident faced sharp criticism from the Senate and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who argued that the request politicized the event.

  • The Federal Government maintained that no ransom was paid and insisted that the victims were recovered through an intelligence-driven operation.

  Expert Security Assessment

  • Security analyst Makama Zagazola explained that “rescue” and “release” are not necessarily contradictory; an operation can involve a combination of surveillance, military pressure, and communication.

  • Zagazola noted that the delay in the operation was due to the high risk of casualties, as troops had to avoid a full-scale assault that could have endangered the children and teachers.

  • He emphasized that there is no credible evidence to support social media claims that the kidnapping was staged.

  • Zagazola highlighted that the Oriire operation was distinguished by an unusually high level of inter-agency coordination, which he believes is essential for resolving complex hostage situations.

  • He warned that kidnapping networks are becoming increasingly mobile and organized, requiring security forces to continue evolving their strategies.