The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has explained how the kidnapped students and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were rescued.
A statement issued by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director of 2 Division Army Public Relations, indicated that the rescues were the result of intelligence-driven, meticulously planned, and executed operations.
The statement detailed that on July 10, 2026, troops from the Nigerian Army, under the command of Major General CR Nnebeife, General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, collaborated with specialized units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, and Special Forces from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, as well as the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies, including local vigilantes, hunters, and Amotekun.
A total of 44 pupils and teachers who were abducted by terrorists from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026, were successfully rescued on Friday.
The Army reported that the operations, which spanned over a month, concentrated on identifying the terrorist kingpins responsible for the kidnapping, dismantling their networks and logistical connections, including their informants and hideouts situated within the Old Oyo National Park Forest in Oyo State.
It was noted that as part of these operations, numerous arrests were made within Oyo State and in various other locations across the country, which significantly disrupted the group, applied immense pressure on them, and ultimately compelled the terrorist organization to release the pupils and teachers unconditionally. Additional operations are planned to follow.
“It is important to emphasize that the operations were meticulously planned and executed to minimize collateral damage and to ensure the safe rescue of the innocent children and teachers. However, there were some casualties among the security forces,” the statement concluded.
“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.”
