How we rescued abducted Oyo schoolchildren, teachers — Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army has disclosed that a month-long intelligence-driven operation involving multiple security agencies led to the successful rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The victims, who spent 56 days in captivity after being kidnapped on May 15, 2026, regained their freedom on Friday following sustained operations against suspected Ansaru terrorists responsible for the abduction.

In a statement issued after the rescue, the Acting Deputy Director of 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, said the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife.

According to the Army, troops worked alongside special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.

The statement read: “Following an intelligence-led, carefully planned and executed operation on 10 July 2026, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser, specifically the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Defence Headquarters with Special Forces elements from the Nigerian Army, Navy, the Air Force and the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun, in a well-coordinated operation rescued a total of 44 pupils and teachers kidnapped by terrorists from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on 15 May 2026.”

The Army said the operation, which lasted for more than one month, focused on identifying the terrorist leaders behind the abduction and dismantling their logistics networks, informants and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park and other locations.

It added that several suspects were arrested in Oyo State and other parts of the country, disrupting the group’s activities and forcing the terrorists to release the victims unconditionally.

“As part of the operations, multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and in other locations across some states in the country.

“These arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers. Further operations are to be conducted,” the statement added.

The Army also disclosed that some security personnel were killed or injured during the operation but did not provide details.

The rescued pupils and teachers have been taken to an undisclosed medical facility for examination and treatment before being handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.

Major General Nnebeife commended President Bola Tinubu for his strategic guidance and support, while also appreciating Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, other service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, and heads of participating security agencies.

The Army also thanked the media and members of the public for their cooperation and urged Nigerians to continue providing timely and credible intelligence, assuring that further operations would be carried out to apprehend remaining members of the terrorist network and prevent future attacks.

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