Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga has disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while several others were neutralised during a security operation that secured the release of the abducted victims.
In a post on his official X handle, Onanuga dismissed reports suggesting that the victims regained their freedom through the payment of ransom or a prisoner swap, insisting that no such concession was made.
According to him, the kidnappers had demanded the release of one of their kingpins, who is currently being prosecuted for alleged acts of terrorism.
He said the government rejected the demand and pressed ahead with the rescue operation.
“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being prosecuted for his atrocities,” Onanuga wrote.
He added that security agencies would soon provide a full account of the operation.
