Oyo School Rescue: We treated abducted pupils as our own children – IRT, SIS operatives
…IGP Disu Mourns Slain Sergeant, Hails Team for Successful Rescue
By Kingsley Omonobi
Operatives of the Police Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) have said they approached the rescue of the 44 abducted pupils and teachers of Oriire schools in Oyo State with the determination to save them because they regarded the victims as their own children.
The officers made the disclosure on Friday while meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun? Wait no—Inspector-General Tunji Disu, following the successful joint operation carried out alongside the military and other security agencies.
The rescue operation, however, claimed the life of Sergeant John Jerome Mbena, while several other police personnel sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Addressing the operatives, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, paid tribute to the slain officer and commended members of the rescue team for their courage, professionalism and commitment to duty.
“We just finished prayers for the officer we lost in the Oyo State school abduction incident. You will recall that I called all of you here a few weeks ago and informed you that you would be joining other sister agencies on a very serious national assignment.
“I’m happy you went and made us proud. I received reports from the operation commander on the roles you played. I cannot thank you enough for your service to the nation,” the IGP said.
Disu disclosed that officers injured during the operation were responding well to treatment and assured them that the Force would continue to cater for their welfare, as well as that of the family of the deceased officer.
“For the others who sustained injuries, we are happy they are recovering very fast,” he said, noting that both government and private hospitals had been engaged to ensure they received adequate medical care.
The police chief explained that the Force publicly honours officers who die in the line of duty because they deserve recognition for the sacrifices they make in protecting lives and property.
“Police officers, first and foremost, are human beings. They have emotions, and they feel the loss of a colleague. These officers died protecting the people,” he said.
He also praised the cooperation between the police and other security agencies, stressing that no single agency could tackle insecurity alone.
“We have made up our minds to work together, train together and fight insecurity together,” he stated.
The IGP appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information.
“We beg members of the public: if you see something, say something. Cooperate with the security agencies. The situation we have today requires everyone to work together. Give us information and help us prevent crime because the life you save may be your own,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the operatives, Superintendent of Police Mohammed Abduramaan said the rescue team was driven by a sense of duty and compassion throughout the operation.
“We didn’t look at them as victims. We looked at them as our own children. Every step we took was for the children.
“We are very happy that we successfully carried out the operation. We heard their cries, answered the call and succeeded. This is what we are trained to do. It is our job, and we are proud to do it.
“We are now returning to our various formations to continue serving the nation,” he said.
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