By Paul Dada
The Nigerian Army has revealed the details of the intense operation which led to the rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
It described as a carefully planned and intelligence-driven operation involving multiple security agencies.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director of 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the victims were freed on 10 July after an operation that lasted for more than a month.
The statement said the mission was led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General CR Nnebeife, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser, including the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Defence Headquarters, Special Forces from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, 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 personnel.
The statement said, “Following an intelligence-led carefully planned and executed operations, on 10 July 2026, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General CR Nnebeife, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser… 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 disclosed that the operation concentrated on dismantling the criminal network responsible for the abduction.
It stated, “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.”
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The military added that security operatives carried out several arrests within Oyo State and in other parts of the country, weakening the group and forcing it to release the captives.
“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 said.
The Army said the operation was executed with utmost caution to ensure the safe recovery of the hostages.
“It suffices to note that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damages and to equally ensure that the innocent children and teachers were safely rescued. However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” it added.
According to the statement, the rescued pupils and teachers are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital before they are reunited with their families.
“The pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government in due course so as to be reunited with their families,” it said.
The GOC expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his support throughout the operation.
According to statement, the GOC thanked “His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the strategic guidance, support and for all the provisions that made the operations a huge success.”
The Army also commended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and residents of the state for supporting security agencies during the operation.
The statement 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, and heads of other security agencies for ensuring “a seamless coordination and execution of the operations.”
The Army also thanked the media and Nigerians for their confidence in the country’s security agencies and appealed for continued public cooperation.
“We urge all to remain vigilant and continue to support all security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would assist in the ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and properties across Nigeria,” the statement said.
Read the full statement below:
KIDNAPPED STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN OYO STATE RESCUED FOLLOWING, SURGICAL INTENSE AND WELL COORDINATED OPERATIONS IN OLD OYO NATIONAL PARK AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY
1. Following an intelligence-led carefully planned and executed operations, on 10 July 2026, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, *Major General CR Nnebeife*, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) specifically the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC),the Defence Headquarters with Special Forces elements from the Nigerian Army, Navy the Air Force and the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies as well as local vigilantes/hunters/Amotekuns, 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 disorganized 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.
4. It suffices to note that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damages and to equally ensure that the innocent children and teachers were safely rescued. However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces.
5. The pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government in due course so as to be reunited with their families.
6. The GOC 2 Division wish to on behalf of all the participating agencies most sincerely and respectfully thank and appreciate His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Strategic Guidance, Support and for all the provisions that made the operations a huge success.
7. The GOC also wishes to once again thank the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde and indeed the good people of the State for their continous support to security agencies especially during the trying period.
8. The GOC also appreciates the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Hon Minster of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and the Directors General DSS and NIA as well as Heads of other Security Agencies for their support and for the opportunity to relate directly with all the security agencies to ensure a seamless coordination and execution of the operations.
9. We sincerely thank the various media houses and indeed the entire Nigeria populace for their support, understanding and for having faith in the security architecture of the Nation. We urge all to remain vigilant and continue to support all security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would assist in the ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and properties across Nigeria.
DANJUMA JONAH DANJUMA
Lieutenant Colonel
Acting Deputy Director
2 Division Army Public Relations
10 July 2026p LP
