The Nigerian Army has given account of how a combined efforts of security officers, vigilantes and hunters led to the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.
In a statement the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma issued, the Army said the victims 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.
Danjuma revealed that the operation involved troops of the Nigerian Army led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife alongside operatives of other security agencies, including the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
It explained that the operation focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins behind the abduction, dismantling their logistics network and arresting their informants.
“Following an intelligence-led, carefully planned and executed operation on 10 July 2026, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), specifically the National Counter Terrorism Centre (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 and Amotekun, 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.
“The operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, busting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest, Oyo State,” the statement read partly.
It added that the Army arrested several suspects in Oyo and other states, which according to the report disrupted the group’s activities and forced the terrorists to free 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,” it stated.
The Army remarked that the operation was carefully executed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims without collateral damage.
“However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” the statement added.
