Military Pressure Forced Terrorists to Release Oyo Pupils, Teachers – Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army has revealed that sustained military pressure forced the terrorists behind the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to release the victims.
The Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, made the revelation in a statement.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma disclosed that, following carefully planned and executed intelligence-led operations, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General CR Nnebeife, on July 10, 2026, 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, Air Force and the Nigeria Police Force, successfully rescued a total of 44 pupils and teachers who were kidnapped by terrorists on May 15, 2026, in a well-coordinated operation.
Other security agencies involved in the operation included 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 Amotekun operatives.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma noted that the operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorists’ kingpins who masterminded the kidnapping, as well as disrupting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest in Oyo State.
“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,” he stated.
He explained that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damage while ensuring that the innocent children and teachers were rescued safely.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma, however, confirmed that there were some casualties among the security forces. He added that the rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will, in due course, be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
He expressed gratitude to the President, saying: “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.”
The General Officer Commanding also thanked Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and the people of the state for their continuous support for the security agencies, especially during the difficult period.
The GOC also appreciated the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, as well as the heads of other security agencies, for their support and for providing the opportunity to work directly with all the security agencies to ensure seamless coordination and execution of the operations.
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma further thanked the various media organisations and Nigerians for their support, understanding and faith in the nation’s security architecture.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue supporting all security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would assist in the ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property across the country.
