The Yoruba Council of Elders, on Sunday, lauded President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and security agencies for the successful rescue of victims abducted in the recent attack in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.YCE, in a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Oladipo Oyewole, in Ibadan, the state capital, lauded the coordinated efforts of the Federal Government in rescuing the victims.It described the rescue as most welcome, saying, “It brought relief to the victims’ families, residents of the state and the whole of South-West Nigeria, where people had anxiously awaited their safe return.“We, members of YCE, want to use this period to laud the coordinated efforts of the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Military, the Police, the Department of State Services, Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, local hunters and all security operatives involved in the rescue operation.“The successful operation demonstrated the importance of collaboration among security agencies and local stakeholders in tackling insecurity.”While congratulating the rescued victims and their families, the YCE also commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives during the incident, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and comfort for their loved ones.Related NewsOpposition’s failure to meet INEC deadline shows unpreparedness – APCVIDEO: Husband of rescued Oyo principal dances at thanksgiving serviceLiving repository of knowledge, Tinubu celebrates Soyinka at 92“We also urge the Federal Government and security agencies not to relent in addressing the growing threat of kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.“Rescue operations should be complemented with sustained intelligence gathering, improved surveillance and enhanced security presence in vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.”The YCE also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction, stressing that “Bringing perpetrators of these negative acts in the society to justice would serve as a deterrent to all criminal elements.”Council expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities, the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality would record greater success.The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity. YCE, in a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Oladipo Oyewole, in Ibadan, the state capital, lauded the coordinated efforts of the Federal Government in rescuing the victims.It described the rescue as most welcome, saying, “It brought relief to the victims’ families, residents of the state and the whole of South-West Nigeria, where people had anxiously awaited their safe return.“We, members of YCE, want to use this period to laud the coordinated efforts of the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Military, the Police, the Department of State Services, Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, local hunters and all security operatives involved in the rescue operation.“The successful operation demonstrated the importance of collaboration among security agencies and local stakeholders in tackling insecurity.”While congratulating the rescued victims and their families, the YCE also commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives during the incident, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and comfort for their loved ones.Related NewsOpposition’s failure to meet INEC deadline shows unpreparedness – APCVIDEO: Husband of rescued Oyo principal dances at thanksgiving serviceLiving repository of knowledge, Tinubu celebrates Soyinka at 92“We also urge the Federal Government and security agencies not to relent in addressing the growing threat of kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.“Rescue operations should be complemented with sustained intelligence gathering, improved surveillance and enhanced security presence in vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.”The YCE also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction, stressing that “Bringing perpetrators of these negative acts in the society to justice would serve as a deterrent to all criminal elements.”Council expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities, the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality would record greater success.The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity. It described the rescue as most welcome, saying, “It brought relief to the victims’ families, residents of the state and the whole of South-West Nigeria, where people had anxiously awaited their safe return.“We, members of YCE, want to use this period to laud the coordinated efforts of the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Military, the Police, the Department of State Services, Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, local hunters and all security operatives involved in the rescue operation.“The successful operation demonstrated the importance of collaboration among security agencies and local stakeholders in tackling insecurity.”While congratulating the rescued victims and their families, the YCE also commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives during the incident, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and comfort for their loved ones.Related NewsOpposition’s failure to meet INEC deadline shows unpreparedness – APCVIDEO: Husband of rescued Oyo principal dances at thanksgiving serviceLiving repository of knowledge, Tinubu celebrates Soyinka at 92“We also urge the Federal Government and security agencies not to relent in addressing the growing threat of kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.“Rescue operations should be complemented with sustained intelligence gathering, improved surveillance and enhanced security presence in vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.”The YCE also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction, stressing that “Bringing perpetrators of these negative acts in the society to justice would serve as a deterrent to all criminal elements.”Council expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities, the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality would record greater success.The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity. “We, members of YCE, want to use this period to laud the coordinated efforts of the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Military, the Police, the Department of State Services, Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun, local hunters and all security operatives involved in the rescue operation.“The successful operation demonstrated the importance of collaboration among security agencies and local stakeholders in tackling insecurity.”While congratulating the rescued victims and their families, the YCE also commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives during the incident, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and comfort for their loved ones.Related NewsOpposition’s failure to meet INEC deadline shows unpreparedness – APCVIDEO: Husband of rescued Oyo principal dances at thanksgiving serviceLiving repository of knowledge, Tinubu celebrates Soyinka at 92“We also urge the Federal Government and security agencies not to relent in addressing the growing threat of kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.“Rescue operations should be complemented with sustained intelligence gathering, improved surveillance and enhanced security presence in vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.”The YCE also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction, stressing that “Bringing perpetrators of these negative acts in the society to justice would serve as a deterrent to all criminal elements.”Council expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities, the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality would record greater success.The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity. “The successful operation demonstrated the importance of collaboration among security agencies and local stakeholders in tackling insecurity.”While congratulating the rescued victims and their families, the YCE also commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives during the incident, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and comfort for their loved ones.Related NewsOpposition’s failure to meet INEC deadline shows unpreparedness – APCVIDEO: Husband of rescued Oyo principal dances at thanksgiving serviceLiving repository of knowledge, Tinubu celebrates Soyinka at 92“We also urge the Federal Government and security agencies not to relent in addressing the growing threat of kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.“Rescue operations should be complemented with sustained intelligence gathering, improved surveillance and enhanced security presence in vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.”The YCE also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction, stressing that “Bringing perpetrators of these negative acts in the society to justice would serve as a deterrent to all criminal elements.”Council expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities, the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality would record greater success.The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity. While congratulating the rescued victims and their families, the YCE also commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives during the incident, praying for the peaceful repose of the deceased and comfort for their loved ones.Related NewsOpposition’s failure to meet INEC deadline shows unpreparedness – APCVIDEO: Husband of rescued Oyo principal dances at thanksgiving serviceLiving repository of knowledge, Tinubu celebrates Soyinka at 92“We also urge the Federal Government and security agencies not to relent in addressing the growing threat of kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.“Rescue operations should be complemented with sustained intelligence gathering, improved surveillance and enhanced security presence in vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.”The YCE also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction, stressing that “Bringing perpetrators of these negative acts in the society to justice would serve as a deterrent to all criminal elements.”Council expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities, the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality would record greater success.The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity. “We also urge the Federal Government and security agencies not to relent in addressing the growing threat of kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.“Rescue operations should be complemented with sustained intelligence gathering, improved surveillance and enhanced security presence in vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.”The YCE also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction, stressing that “Bringing perpetrators of these negative acts in the society to justice would serve as a deterrent to all criminal elements.”Council expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities, the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality would record greater success.The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity. “Rescue operations should be complemented with sustained intelligence gathering, improved surveillance and enhanced security presence in vulnerable communities to prevent future attacks.”The YCE also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction, stressing that “Bringing perpetrators of these negative acts in the society to justice would serve as a deterrent to all criminal elements.”Council expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities, the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality would record greater success.The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity. The YCE also called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction, stressing that “Bringing perpetrators of these negative acts in the society to justice would serve as a deterrent to all criminal elements.”Council expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities, the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality would record greater success.The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity. Council expressed optimism that with sustained collaboration among governments, security agencies and local communities, the fight against kidnapping and other forms of criminality would record greater success.The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity. The PUNCH reports that over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped during a coordinated attack at the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L. A Primary School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, on Friday, May 15, 2026, and subsequently rescued on Friday, July 10, 2026, after 56 days in captivity.