The Nigerian Army has revealed that the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after an intelligence-driven security operation involving multiple security agencies and local security outfits.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the Army said the victims were rescued on July 10 following a carefully coordinated operation that lasted for more than a month.
According to the statement, the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, and involved personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Defence Headquarters, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun operatives.
The Army said the operation targeted the terrorist network responsible for the abduction of the pupils and teachers on May 15, 2026, focusing on dismantling its logistics chain, informants and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park.
The statement read, “The operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorists’ kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, bursting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest, Oyo State.”
It added that several suspects were arrested in Oyo State and other parts of the country, a development it said disrupted the activities of the criminal group and compelled it to free the captives.
“Multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and in other locations across some states in the country. These arrests completely disorganized the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,” the Army stated.
The military noted that the rescue mission was deliberately planned to ensure the victims were freed unharmed, although some security personnel sustained casualties during the operation.
“The operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damage and to ensure that the innocent children and teachers were safely rescued. However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” the statement added.
According to the Army, the rescued pupils and teachers are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will later be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
The GOC, on behalf of participating security agencies, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for what he described as strategic guidance and support that contributed to the success of the operation.
He also thanked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, other service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, as well as other security agencies for their collaboration.
The Army further commended the media and Nigerians for their support and urged citizens to remain vigilant by providing credible and timely information to security agencies to enhance efforts at protecting lives and property.
