Rescued Oyo students, teachers receiving medical care ahead reunification with families – Army

The 2 Division of the Nigerian Army has confirmed that the 44 schoolchildren and teachers rescued from captivity are currently undergoing medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital and will soon be handed over to the Oyo State Government.

In a statement released to journalists in Ibadan, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 2 Division, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Jonah, announced that the victims—who were freed on Friday—would be reunited with their families in due course.

“The pupils and teachers are presently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed facility and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government at the appropriate time, so they can be reunited with their loved ones,” he stated.

Jonah revealed that the rescue was the result of meticulously planned intelligence-led operations carried out by troops of the Nigerian Army under the command of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife.

He noted that the operation involved a joint effort with specialized units from the Office of the National Security Adviser, particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre, as well as the Defence Headquarters, with support from Special Forces elements of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Nigeria Police Force.

Other participating agencies included the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and additional security bodies, alongside local vigilantes, hunters, and Amotekun operatives.

According to Jonah, a total of 44 pupils and teachers—abducted by terrorists from Oriire Local Government Area on May 15—were successfully rescued with no collateral damage to the victims.

“It is important to note that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damage and to ensure the safe rescue of the innocent children and teachers. However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” the spokesman added.

Jonah further explained that the operation, which spanned over a month, was focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins behind the kidnapping, dismantling their networks and logistics chains, and destroying their informants and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park Forest in Oyo State. He added that multiple arrests were made in Oyo State and other locations across the country during the course of the operation.

“These arrests thoroughly disorganized the group, placed immense pressure on them, and ultimately forced the terrorist cell to release the pupils and teachers unconditionally,” Jonah said.

The GOC 2 Division extended gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his strategic direction, support, and provisions that contributed to the operation’s success, as well as to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. Jonah also noted that the GOC acknowledged 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.

Recognition was also given to the Inspector General of Police, the Directors General of the DSS and NIA, and the heads of other security agencies for their cooperation and for enabling seamless coordination and execution of the joint operation.

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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