The Nigerian Army has revealed how troops, working alongside other security agencies, rescued pupils and teachers abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.
The Army said the victims regained their freedom following an intelligence-led operation that lasted more than a month and targeted the kidnappers’ network, logistics chain and hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park and other locations across the country.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the Army said the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, with support from multiple security agencies.
The operation involved personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser, particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Defence Headquarters, Special Forces from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
According to the Army, a total of 44 abducted pupils and teachers were rescued.
It said the operation focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins behind the abduction, dismantling their networks and logistics links, and tracking down informants and hideouts.
The statement read in part, “Following an intelligence-led, carefully planned and executed operation on 10 July 2026, troops of the Nigerian Army… 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 Army disclosed that multiple suspects were arrested in Oyo State and other parts of the country, disrupting the group’s operations and compelling the terrorists to release 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,” the statement added.
The Army said the operation was carefully executed to ensure the victims were rescued safely without collateral damage.
“However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” it added, without providing further details.
According to the Army, the rescued pupils and teachers are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital before being handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
On behalf of all participating agencies, the GOC thanked President Bola Tinubu for his strategic guidance and support, which he said contributed to the success of the operation.
He also commended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, other service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, and heads of other security agencies for their support.
The Army further appreciated media organisations and Nigerians for supporting security agencies and urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
The victims were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
Earlier official accounts indicated that 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted during the attack. The assistant headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, was reportedly killed while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the terrorists during captivity.
The Army’s announcement that 44 victims were rescued differs from earlier official figures indicating that 46 people were abducted. It was not immediately clear whether the Army’s figure excludes the two teachers who were killed.
Confirming the rescue on Friday evening, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said all the victims had regained their freedom.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo, have been rescued by our security agencies,” he said.
Onanuga disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, while several other members of the gang were neutralised.
He also said the victims were rescued without the Federal Government yielding to the kidnappers’ demand for the release of a Boko Haram kingpin standing trial for terrorism.
President Tinubu, in a separate statement posted on his X account, announced that the abducted children and teachers had been rescued alive and unharmed.
The President stressed that no ransom was paid and no concession was made to secure their freedom.
While expressing satisfaction over the operation’s success, Tinubu vowed that his administration would ensure justice for the victims and for the family of the slain teacher, Michael Oyedokun.
He also directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care and other relief support for the rescued pupils and teachers.
