Nigerian Forces Free 45 School Pupils and Teachers Kidnapped by Boko Haram Affiliate

Nigerian Hostages Freed After 56 Days

The pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oyo State have been freed. The release followed weeks of operations involving security forces from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the State Security Service, Nigerian Army, the police and other security agencies. Sources familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES that the abductees were freed on Friday evening and that some terrorists were killed in the process. This newspaper reported that a total of 46 people—consisting of 39 students and seven teachers—were kidnapped when terrorists simultaneously raided Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community High School, and L.A. Primary School in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. One of the abducted teachers was later killed in captivity, while security agencies continued efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims. The abductees spent 56 days in captivity. The kidnappings, which occurred on 15 May, sparked widespread outrage. Civil society organisations, including the Take-It-Back Movement, organised mass demonstrations in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, demanding immediate rescue operations. The protests also led to National Union of Teachers rallies nationwide. In Oyo State, the teachers embarked on a strike to protest the kidnappings. [1]

Joint Security Operation Details

Sources told PREMIUM TIMES that the terrorists camped the abductees inside Old Oyo National Park, a protected forest reserve which links to Kainji National Park where Sadiku-led Boko Haram franchise recently migrated to. Governor Seyi Makinde condemned the abduction, saying it reflected a shift in the country’s security dynamics, arguing that sustained military offensives against terrorists and bandits in the North-west were forcing them to move southward. He added that security operatives searching for the victims encountered improvised explosive devices planted by the attackers, leaving some personnel injured. Although details of the operation that led to the release of the captives remain sketchy, sources told this newspaper that the Nigerian government used several strategies in addition to weeks-long operations by security forces. One source with direct knowledge of the matter said military personnel sabotaged food supply to the forest reserve where the terrorists were camping. This, the source said, made the group run out of supplies. He added that some associates of the abductors who live outside their camps were also picked up by security forces. According to him, this weakened the negotiating strength of the terrorists. The source said some of the terrorists were killed and some arrested during the operation, although he didn’t specify the number of those killed and captured. [1]

Governor and Federal Reactions

The governor also announced that six suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack, stressing that southern states must be prepared to repel or neutralise fleeing terrorist groups. The Defence Headquarters later identified the abductors as dislodged members of Boko Haram. The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, on Thursday stated that the terrorists kidnapped the students to force the government to release some terror commanders. Mr Musa said the terrorists threatened to kill the captives if security forces tried to rescue them. The presidency confirmed the release of the abductees. “Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” Bayo Onanuga, a presidential spokesperson, posted on Facebook, sharing their pictures. In a video posted by Mr Onanuga, the vice principal of Community Grammar School, Alamu Folawe, appreciated President Bola Tinubu and security operatives. “The President, sir, we are grateful,” Ms Folawa, who was surrounded by other freed captives, said. “We understand your commitment to our safety, and we appreciate all you did for us,” she added. “Thank you very much. And every security operative, they tried so much, and that is why we are still alive now. We are very grateful to you. Thank you.” Ms Folawe had been filmed in previous propaganda footage released by terrorists where she was seen pleading with the government to give their abductors whatever they wanted. The police commissioner in Oyo State, Olugbenga Abimbola, also confirmed the release of the students and teachers. Mr Abimbola told PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview that the police will provide more details of the rescue efforts later. [1]

US ICE Arrests of Convicted Criminals

In a series of sweeping nationwide operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Thursday arrested some of the "worst of the worst" criminal illegal aliens convicted of heinous crimes. Among those captured was Jose Solorzano-Felix, of Mexico, who was apprehended in Salt Lake City, Utah. Solorzano-Felix was previously convicted for the attempted murder of a federal law enforcement officer, use of a firearm during and in the commission of a felony, and being an illegal immigrant in possession of a handgun. In Santa Clara, California, ICE agents took Paulino Lugos-Perez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, into custody following his conviction for lewd or lascivious acts with a child. Meanwhile, in Forsyth County, North Carolina, authorities arrested Adrian Valdez-Lopez, a Mexican national convicted of second-degree forcible rape. The crackdown also targeted violent gang affiliates, resulting in the Pasadena, California, arrest of Edgar Josue Centeno, a Honduran national and member of the Latin Kings gang convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. In Mineola, New York, agents arrested Rodolfo Umana, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who had been convicted of burglary. "Yesterday, the brave men and women of ICE risked their lives to arrest illegal criminal aliens convicted for attempted murder of a federal law enforcement officer, lewd or lascivious acts with a child, rape, assault with a deadly weapon, and burglary," Department of Homeland Security acting assistant Secretary Lauren Bis wrote in a statement. DHS said nearly 70% of ICE arrests are those of illegal immigrants who have already been charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S. "Thanks to our ICE law enforcement, our communities are safer," Bis wrote. [2]

Mexico Condemns Fatal ICE Shooting

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum vowed to pursue "significant legal measures" against the United States after a Mexican national was fatally shot during an ICE operation in Texas. Mexican officials counted 17 cases of Mexican nationals who have died in U.S. immigration custody, while Sheinbaum focused on Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, an illegal migrant who has lived in the United States for decades. DHS officials claimed Araujo was the subject of an ICE arrest operation when an agent shot him in self-defense because he allegedly ignored orders and allegedly attempted to ram the agent. During Sheinbaum’s daily "Mañanera del Pueblo" press availability in Mexico City, she laid out her planned escalation of objections against U.S. immigration enforcement’s behavior. "Our goal is to go beyond diplomatic notes and the representations we made to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. We cannot tolerate the mistreatment of our fellow citizens, our brothers and sisters, in the United States. So, we are proposing further measures," Sheinbaum said in Spanish. Sheinbaum said the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs will present the measures to Washington, and commented on Araujo’s death. "This occurred in the context of detention, even though their only offense was lacking documentation — and this despite having been hired by a U.S. company." She said the U.S. has no reason to hold people like Araujo in detention or allegedly "subject [them] to violence." "We are therefore preparing, obviously, more significant legal measures." On Thursday, Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco said he is requesting criminal charges be brought in connection with the 17 Mexican nationals who died in U.S. custody, according to the AP, which reported the requests will be sent to the Justice Department and various state attorneys general. Mexico City has claimed 14 of the 17 died in custody while three have been killed during active DHS operations, according to the outlet. A DHS spokesperson defended the agents, telling Fox News they had not been issued body-worn cameras because of the repercussions of the Democrat-backed agency shutdown earlier this year. "The process of purchasing and issuing body-worn cameras to all of our ICE field offices was interrupted by the Democrats multiple government shutdowns. Body cameras have been deployed to more than half the field offices, with the remaining half to receive them in the next 60 days," a spokesperson said, while noting a 1,300% increase in assaults against agents during the same period. "[He] refused to follow multiple verbal commands, and weaponized his vehicle in an attempt to run over an ICE law enforcement officer resulting in our officer firing his weapon in self-defense," the spokesperson said. [3]

UK Arrest in Killing of Former Minister

British police arrested a man on Friday on suspicion of murdering Ann Widdecombe, after the 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK politician was found dead having "sustained serious injuries". Police said a 26-year-old, White British man had been arrested in Newton Abbot, a town just under 15 kilometres from Widdecombe's home in rural southwest England. Devon and Cornwall police assistant chief constable Matt Longman said there was no information to suggest the murder was related to terrorism or had a political motive. Police said officers were called to Widdecombe's home shortly after midday on Thursday, where she was found dead. Forensic examinations at the property were ongoing, they said. Prime Minister Keir Starmer paid tribute to what he described as "Ann's dedication during her many years of public service". UK police on Friday launched a murder probe after a former government minister was found dead in her home. Tributes had been pouring in Friday for Ann Widdecombe, a former Conservative MP who later pushed for Brexit and joined the hard-right Reform party, after news she had been found dead on Thursday at the age of 78. But police later announced that "a murder investigation has been launched following the suspicious death" of Widdecombe at her home in Devon county in southwest England. "She had sustained serious injuries," police Assistant Chief Constable Matt Longman told reporters, adding a 26-year-old white British man had been arrested in connection with Widdecombe's death. He said he "had no information to say it was a politically motivated crime" and her death was not being treated as terror-related. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the news of the murder inquiry was "really shocking" and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the circumstances "extremely distressing". [4][5]

What to watch next: The presidency confirmed the release of the abductees with pictures shared