The Nigeria military has disclosed that the 44 pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom following a carefully coordinated, intelligence-led operation that dismantled the terrorist network responsible for their abduction and forced the kidnappers to release the victims unconditionally.
According to the military, the operation, which lasted for more than one month, was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Charles Rotimi Nnebeife, and involved personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser through the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Defence Headquarters, Special Forces from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun operatives.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the military said the rescue followed sustained intelligence gathering and carefully planned operations aimed at identifying the terrorist kingpins behind the May 15, 2026 abduction.
The statement explained that security forces systematically targeted and dismantled the group’s operational network by locating their hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park forest, disrupting their logistics chain and tracking down their informants and collaborators.
According to the military, the operation extended beyond Oyo State, leading to multiple arrests in several states across the country. The sustained pressure created by the arrests and the dismantling of the terrorists’ support network reportedly disorganized the group and compelled them to release the pupils and teachers without any conditions.
The military stressed that the operation was deliberately executed with utmost caution to avoid collateral damage and ensure the safe recovery of the children and their teachers. It, however, disclosed that some security personnel suffered casualties during the operation.
The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will subsequently be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
The GOC commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing strategic guidance and the necessary support for the successful operation. He also appreciated 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, heads of other security agencies, as well as local security volunteers for their collaboration.
The military also thanked the media and Nigerians for their patience and continued confidence in the country’s security architecture, urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property across the nation.
