The Nigerian Army has explained how troops, working alongside other security agencies, successfully rescued the pupils and teachers abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed assailants invaded their school in Oriire LGA, sparking nationwide concern and triggering a large-scale rescue operation involving multiple security agencies.
In a statement issued on Friday, hours after the victims regained their freedom, the Acting Deputy Director of 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, disclosed that the rescue followed an intelligence-led operation that lasted for more than a month. The mission focused on dismantling the kidnappers’ network and targeting their hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park and other locations across the country.
According to the Army, the successful operation, carried out on July 10, was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife.
The operation involved personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army Special Forces, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
The Army said the operation was intelligence-driven and aimed at identifying and dismantling the terrorist network responsible for the abduction. This included tracking down the group’s kingpins, logistics channels, informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park forest and other parts of the country.
The military revealed that several suspects were arrested in Oyo State and other locations nationwide during the operation. According to the statement, these arrests significantly weakened and disorganised the terrorist network, mounting sustained pressure that eventually forced the kidnappers to release the pupils and teachers 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 read.
The Army further stated that the rescue mission was meticulously planned and executed to prevent collateral damage and ensure the safe recovery of all the abducted victims. However, it disclosed that some security personnel sustained casualties during the operation, although no further details were provided.
The rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital before they are handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
On behalf of all participating security agencies, Major General Nnebeife expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the strategic direction, support and resources that contributed to the successful operation.
He also commended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and residents of the state for their cooperation and continued support for security agencies throughout the rescue mission.
The GOC equally 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 the heads of other participating security agencies for ensuring effective coordination during the operation.
The military also thanked media organisations and Nigerians for their patience, understanding and confidence in the country’s security architecture. It urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to support ongoing efforts against terrorism and other criminal activities.
According to the Army, follow-up operations are still underway to completely dismantle the remaining elements of the terrorist network responsible for the abduction.
