It is no longer news that 44 students and teachers kidnapped 56 days ago in Oyo State have been rescued. What is new are the video snippets of the operation that led to their rescue released from the nation’s seat of power in Abuja.
The military described it as an intelligence-driven, month-long operation involving multiple security and intelligence agencies.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Nigerian Army said the rescue was achieved through “intelligence-led carefully planned and executed operations” carried out on July 10 by troops of the Nigerian Army led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General CR Nnebeife, working alongside personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Defence Headquarters, Special Forces from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun operatives.
According to the statement, the operation secured the release of “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 extended beyond Oyo State and lasted for more than a month, targeting those responsible for the abduction and the network supporting them.
“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,” the statement said.
It added that the security forces carried out several arrests both within Oyo State and in other parts of the country, a development the military said crippled the criminal network.
“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,” the statement added.
The military stressed that the operation was carefully designed to ensure the safe recovery of the victims.
“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,” it said.
However, the Army confirmed that “there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” without providing further details.
According to the statement, the rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital.
“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 2 Division, on behalf of all participating agencies, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting the operation.
“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,” the statement read.
The Army also thanked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and residents of the state “for their continuous support to security agencies especially during the trying period.”
It further acknowledged the contributions of National Security Adviser 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 security agencies for ensuring “a seamless coordination and execution of the operations.”
The military equally expressed gratitude to the media and Nigerians for their support throughout the operation.
“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,” the statement concluded.