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Nigerian Army Reveals How Troops Rescued Kidnapped Oyo Pupils and Teachers After Month-Long Operation
According to the Army, the victims were rescued on Friday, July 10, following an intelligence-led operation that lasted for more than a month.
In the statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 2 Division Army Public Relations, the military said the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General CR Nnebeife, in collaboration with several security agencies.
The operation involved personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, 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 local vigilantes, hunters, and members of the Amotekun Corps.
The Army disclosed that a total of 44 kidnapped pupils and teachers were rescued during the carefully coordinated operation.
According to the statement, security forces spent more than a month identifying the terrorist kingpins responsible for the abduction while dismantling their networks, logistics chains, informants, and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest.
The military also revealed that multiple arrests were carried out in Oyo State and other parts of the country, disrupting the terrorist group’s operations and placing them under intense pressure.
As a result, the kidnappers were said to have unconditionally released the abducted pupils and teachers. The Army added that further operations would continue to track down other members of the criminal network.
The statement noted that the rescue mission was carefully planned to prevent collateral damage and ensure the safe recovery of the victims. However, it confirmed that there were casualties among the security personnel involved in the operation.
The rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital and will later be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
The General Officer Commanding expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic guidance and support throughout the operation. He also thanked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, other security agencies, the media, and Nigerians for their support.
in the statement, it reads: “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 2026″
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