Nigerian Army: How security agencies rescued 44 kidnapped pupils, teachers in after month-long intelligence-led operation

The Nigerian Army has detailed the successful rescue of 44 pupils and teachers who were abducted in Oriire, Oyo State, on 15 May 2026, confirming that troops executed a carefully planned, intelligence-driven operation on 10 July 2026.

In a statement, the Acting Deputy Director of 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, acknowledged that security forces sustained casualties during the mission, though specific figures were not disclosed.

According to the statement, the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, and involved a broad coalition of security agencies.

These included special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), Defence Headquarters, special forces from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as local vigilantes, hunters, and Amotekun operatives.

The coordinated effort, which spanned over a month, concentrated on dismantling the terrorist network behind the kidnapping. Troops identified and targeted the kingpins, disrupted their logistics chains, and destroyed hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park Forest.

Multiple arrests were made across Oyo and other states, severely disorganizing the group and forcing the unconditional release of the hostages. Additional operations are reportedly ongoing.

The Army emphasized that the mission was meticulously planned to avoid collateral damage and ensure the safe return of the children and teachers.

The rescued individuals are currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunion with their families.

The General Officer Commanding expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strategic guidance and support, as well as to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of the state for their cooperation during the crisis. Appreciation was also extended to the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police, and the heads of other security agencies for their seamless coordination.

The military urged the public to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies by providing timely, credible information to assist in safeguarding lives and property across Nigeria.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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