How we rescued abducted Oyo pupils, teachers — Army

The Nigerian Army has revealed that the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom after a month-long, intelligence-driven operation that dismantled the kidnappers’ network and forced the terrorists to release their captives unconditionally.

The Army disclosed this in a statement on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, following the successful rescue operation carried out on July 10.

According to the Army, the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General CR Nnebeife, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, including the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, special forces from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun personnel.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, from Oriire Local Government Area.

Explaining how the rescue was achieved, the Army said the operation focused on identifying those responsible for the abduction and dismantling their support structure.

“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.

The military said security forces carried out multiple arrests in Oyo State and other parts of the country, disrupting the kidnappers’ operations and leaving them with no option but to free the victims.

“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,” it added.