The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed assailants attacked their school in Oriire Local Government, triggering widespread concern and prompting a coordinated rescue mission involving multiple security agencies.
The Nigerian Army has detailed how troops, alongside other security agencies, rescued pupils and teachers abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to a statement issued hours after the rescue on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the victims who were rescued after 56 days in captivity, regained their freedom following an intelligence-led operation that lasted for more than a month and targeted the kidnappers’ network and hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park and other parts of the country.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed assailants attacked their school in Oriire Local Government, triggering widespread concern and prompting a coordinated rescue mission involving multiple security agencies.
Danjuma said the successful rescue was achieved on July 10 through a carefully planned and executed operation led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife.
According to the statement, the operation brought together personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, Special Forces of 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 members of the Amotekun Corps.
The military said the operation was intelligence-led and focused on identifying and dismantling the terrorist network responsible for the abduction, including its kingpins, logistics channels, informants, and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park forest and other locations.
It disclosed that several suspects were arrested in Oyo State and other parts of the country during the operation, adding that the sustained pressure mounted on the criminal network disrupted its activities and ultimately compelled the abductors to release the victims unconditionally.
“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.
“Multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and other locations across 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,” the statement said
The Army noted that the rescue mission was meticulously planned to prevent collateral damage and ensure the safe recovery of all the abducted pupils and teachers.
It, however, disclosed that some security personnel sustained casualties during the operation, without providing further details.
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, on behalf of all participating security agencies, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for providing strategic direction, support, and resources that contributed to the operation’s success
He also commended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the state’s residents for their continued support and cooperation with security agencies throughout the rescue efforts.
Major General Nnebeife further acknowledged the contributions of 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 heads of other participating security agencies for ensuring seamless coordination during the operation.
The military also appreciated media organisations and Nigerians for their patience, understanding, and confidence in the country’s security architecture, while urging citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies in the fight against terrorism and other criminal activities.
It added that follow-up operations are ongoing to completely dismantle the remaining elements of the terrorist network responsible for the abduction.
Confirming the rescue in a statement on Friday evening, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said all the victims were rescued.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo, have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
He disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services.
He added that several other members of the gang were neutralised by security operatives during the operation.
According to him, the victims were rescued without the Federal Government acceding to the kidnappers’ demand for the release of a Boko Haram kingpin standing trial for terrorism.
In a separate statement on his X handle, Tinubu also announced that the abducted children and teachers were freed alive and unharmed.
He stressed that “no ransom was paid” and “no concession was made.”
He also directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and other relief support for the rescued pupils and teachers.
