Fifty-six days after being held in captivity, pupils and teachers abducted by Ansaru terrorists in Oyo State were rescued, not through a daring assault, but through a carefully coordinated campaign that combined intelligence, inter-agency cooperation, sustained military pressure and the systematic dismantling of the terrorists’ support network. Chiemelie Ezeobi brings an exclusive report on how, over several weeks, security forces employed intelligence preparation of the battlefield, signals intelligence, aerial surveillance, coordinated ground operations, logistics denial, security choke points, targeted arrests of key associates, and financial and psychological pressure to gradually constrict the terrorists’ freedom of movement and compel the safe release of the hostages without endangering their lives
On May 15, 2026, tragedy struck when terrorists, identified as the Ansaru faction, attacked three schools simultaneously in Oriire Local Government Area (Esiele and Yawota communities), Oyo State, where they abducted 39 students and seven teachers.
To send strong signal about their demands for the release of their terror gang leader, the terrorists beheaded one of the teachers, Michael Oyedokun in captivity.
Painstaking Hostage Rescue Operations
Taken deep into the vast Oyo National Forest, the victims disappeared into one of Nigeria’s most difficult terrains, setting the stage for what would become one of the country’s most painstaking hostage rescue operations that stretched for 56 days.
While the eventual release of the hostages was widely celebrated, little was known about the painstaking efforts that made it possible.
THISDAY gathered that behind the scenes, security agencies spent more than six weeks planning, gathering intelligence and methodically squeezing the terrorists’ operational space until they were left with little option but to free the captives.
According to a knowledgeable source who spoke to THISDAY on strict condition of anonymity, the rescue was achieved not through a daring assault, but through a carefully coordinated campaign that combined intelligence, inter-agency cooperation, military pressure and the systematic dismantling of the terrorists’ support network.
The operation brought together the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS), Defence Headquarters, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Joint Interagency Task Force and military formations already operating within the area.
Thick Vegetation Hampered Initial Efforts
Even then, commanders resisted the temptation to rush into the forest.
“Even before deployment, we began an intelligence preparation of the battlefield, trying to map out exactly where the terrorists were located. It was painstaking because they had also done their homework and deliberately chose the deepest and thickest part of the forest,” the source said.
Turned out the terrorists had deliberately exploited the terrain to frustrate rescue efforts.
“The canopy was so thick that if you were there during the day, you would think it was night,” the source recalled.
According to him, the thick vegetation rendered Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets ineffective.
“Our ISR assets, aircraft and drones, including those equipped with thermal imaging for night operations, were unable to detect them. The thick vegetation prevented us from identifying their exact location. They had also chosen a cave within the forest to keep the children. The children were hidden near a waterfall, where the sound of rushing water concealed any cries they might make, making the task even more difficult.
SBS and ONSA as Critical Enablers
When initial surveillance did not yield speedy results as expected, the operation entered a new phase with the deployment of additional specialised capabilities which required the SBS and Special Forces of the ONSA.
Described as a critical enabler of the operation, the SBS moved in and in addition to the intelligence provided by ONSA, it was a game changer for the operation.
The Intelligence Breakthrough
Yet, despite successfully concealing themselves, the terrorists could not remain completely isolated. The turning point came when security agencies identified a critical weakness.
“Deep inside the forest, even satellite phones could not function effectively because the dense canopy blocked the signal. Whether using Thuraya, Starlink or other satellite communication systems, they had to move to open ground or higher elevations where signals could penetrate.”
That vulnerability became the breakthrough the operation needed.
“We began intercepting those communications, and those locations became our initial targets.”
Armed with that intelligence, troops advanced from different directions while relying on local information provided by hunters and residents familiar with the terrain. The difficult environment meant soldiers sometimes trekked more than 20 kilometres in a day because vehicles could not operate inside the virgin forest.
As they advanced, troops occupied the communication points previously used by the terrorists while aerial bombardments gradually restricted their movemen
Tightening the Noose
Military pressure inside the forest was matched by efforts to deny the terrorists supplies and external support.
“We also realised that we needed to cut off their logistics. The state government imposed curfews on the surrounding towns because local communities contained informants who were passing information, supplying food and otherwise supporting the terrorists. Markets were closed, increasing the pressure on them.”
He noted that meanwhile, signals intelligence continued to produce results. “We intercepted their communications using advanced signals intelligence systems. Those intercepts gave us valuable information about everything that was happening.”
The intercepted conversations led security agencies to relatives, collaborators and other members of the support network.
“We systematically arrested associates and other members of their support network.” Those operations extended beyond neighbouring communities to Adamawa, Sokoto and Niger states as the security dragnet widened.
Turning Family Ties into Leverage
As intelligence accumulated, security planners identified what the source described as the terrorists’ centre of gravity.
“We looked into past rescue operations conducted by other militaries. We did a lot of research, and that helped us determine what the centre of gravity would be—what we could use to break the will of these terrorists so that they would release the children.”
According to the source, intercepted communications revealed that despite their brutality, the terrorists maintained strong emotional attachments to their families.
“From our intercepts, we realised that despite how wicked these people were, they had very strong family ties. They cared deeply about their family members—their sisters, their wives and their children. They were loving parents to their own children, yet they could still go and kidnap other people’s children.”
Security agencies intensified pressure by targeting the group’s support structure.
“Their houses were destroyed. We identified where they were living, shut down some of their houses, demolished others, killed their cattle, and generally put a lot of financial, emotional and psychological pressure on them.”
The source also disclosed that nearly 300 cattle allegedly linked to one of the group’s supporters were intercepted and destroyed as authorities tightened the noose around the terrorists. He told THISDAY that the terrorist who owned the cattle wept bitterly on the phone when he heard his herd was wiped out.
Kinetic and Non-kinetic Pressure Ensured Successful Rescue
Although intelligence eventually identified where the children were being held, commanders deliberately avoided a direct assault.
“Although we had assembled an overwhelming force capable of storming the location, we chose not to because of the risk to the hostages.”
According to the source, every operational decision was guided by one overriding objective: ensuring the children returned home safely.
As the pressure mounted, several Ansaru fighters were reportedly killed while others abandoned the forest. Contrary to public speculation, the source maintained that the group never demanded ransom, insisting its only demand was the release of its leader.
“So we knew that this was the only leverage we had, and that was ultimately what forced them to capitulate.”
Eventually, the terrorists were forced to release the hostages, who were later recovered safely by security forces at Esiele.
Looking back on the operation, the source said the cumulative pressure eventually broke the group.
“Eventually, they began to disband, and many of their members were also killed. When they saw the size of the force that had entered the forest, I think many of them started running away. They were no longer getting reinforcements or fresh people to support them, and it became increasingly difficult for them to continue holding and sustaining the children inside the forest.
“In the end, I think they simply realised that it was a battle they could no longer win and that realisation led to the rescue of the pupils and their teachers alive.”