IGP vows Oyo schoolchildren will return home safe

Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police, has assured Nigerians that the schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State will be rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.

While expressing confidence in the ongoing security operations aimed at securing their release, IGP gave the assurance in a statement jointly signed by Festus Fifen, Chairman and Peter Ireh
Secretary, Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN).

According to the association, the Inspector-General’s assurance comes at a critical moment when public anxiety remains high over the fate of the abducted schoolchildren.

“At a moment of national anxiety over the fate of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren, the Inspector-General’s assurance that they will be rescued unhurt reflects not only confidence in the operational capabilities of the Nigeria Police Force but also an unwavering commitment to ensuring that every mission reaches a successful conclusion,” the statement said.

CCAN noted that under Disu’s leadership, the police have strengthened intelligence gathering, enhanced strategic security operations, improved community engagement and embraced greater transparency and accountability.

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The association said these measures have translated into tangible security gains, including the arrest of hundreds of suspected criminals such as kidnappers, armed robbers, terrorists, cultists and murder suspects. 

It added that security operatives have also rescued at least 277 kidnap victims in coordinated operations carried out across the country.

Among the achievements highlighted by the association was the successful rescue of Olaide Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul, who were abducted in Ibadan, Oyo State, on June 3, 2026.

CCAN described the operation as a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of the Force’s evolving intelligence-led policing model and said the safe recovery of the victims further boosted public confidence in the police’s capacity to respond swiftly and professionally to security threats while prioritising the safety of victims.

“The Nigeria Police Force is witnessing a renewed sense of purpose under IGP Disu’s leadership. 

“From the rescue of kidnap victims to the dismantling of criminal networks and enhanced security operations across the country, Nigerians are beginning to see the impact of focused and strategic policing,” the association stated.

CCAN commended the police chief’s leadership, intelligence-driven policing strategy and ongoing reforms, which it said have strengthened public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force and delivered significant successes in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.

It also expressed confidence in the assurance by the IGP that schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State will be rescued unharmed, describing the pledge as evidence of the professionalism and operational effectiveness of the current leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.

The association said the Inspector-General’s commitment has rekindled hope among affected families and Nigerians concerned about the safety of the pupils, while underscoring the police’s determination to combat criminality and protect lives across the country.

the association praised the police chief’s confidence in the ongoing rescue efforts, attributing it to an intelligence-driven policing strategy that has yielded notable successes in the fight against kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.

The group also commended the Inspector-General’s efforts to reform and reposition the police through citizen-focused initiatives and modern policing approaches aimed at improving public trust in the institution.

According to CCAN, the current administration has made significant progress in addressing long-standing public concerns about policing by implementing reforms that promote accountability, professionalism and respect for citizens’ rights.

The association particularly praised the growing emphasis on intelligence-led policing and public engagement, saying the approach is gradually changing public perception of law enforcement.

“From the tactical handling of high-profile criminal cases to the renewed focus on intelligence-led policing, you have demonstrated that effective policing can be firm, professional and respectful of citizens’ rights,” the statement added.

CCAN further pointed to what it described as a noticeable improvement in police-community relations, noting that officers are increasingly being viewed as partners in maintaining security rather than adversaries.

It cited a reduction in arbitrary arrests, improved responses to distress calls and the creation of more transparent communication channels as key developments that have helped restore public confidence in the police.

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While acknowledging the achievements recorded so far, the association urged the Inspector-General to sustain the momentum by deepening ongoing reforms, strengthening professionalism and intensifying efforts to tackle criminality across the country.

It pledged its support for the police leadership’s efforts to build a safer Nigeria and expressed confidence that the progress recorded under Disu’s tenure represents the foundation for a broader transformation of the Nigeria Police Force.