How 44 abducted Oyo pupils, teachers were rescued – Army

Nigerian troops, in collaboration with other security agencies, have successfully rescued 44 pupils and teachers who were abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists. The victims had been held captive for 56 days in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

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Following an intelligence-led, carefully planned and executed operation on 10 July 2026, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, 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, 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 and Amotekun, 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.

The successful rescue operation, which lasted for over a month, was intelligence-led and specifically targeted the kidnappers' network and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park and other locations. The operation involved troops from the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, working alongside operatives from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, and special forces from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Personnel from the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps also participated. They were joined by local vigilantes, hunters, and the Amotekun Corps. The operation focused on identifying the terrorist leaders responsible for the kidnapping, dismantling their logistics and communication networks, and arresting their informants.

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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.

According to the Army's statement, multiple arrests were made in Oyo and other states. These arrests significantly disrupted the group's operations, creating immense pressure that ultimately led the terrorists to unconditionally release the captives. The Army indicated that further operations are planned. The statement also highlighted that the operation was carefully executed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims without collateral damage.

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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.