By Kingsley Omonobi
The military on Saturday said that multiple arrests in Oyo State and other parts of the country, disrupting the activities of the group that kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo, forced it to release the captives unconditionally.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, and were rescued on July 10 following what the military described as an intelligence-led, carefully coordinated operation involving multiple security and intelligence agencies.
The operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser through the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, Special Forces of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun, local vigilantes and hunters.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, the military said the operation focused on dismantling the kidnappers’ network and logistics chain within the Old Oyo National Park and other locations.
“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,” the statement said.
It added that the arrests “completely disorganized the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers.”
The military said the operation was meticulously planned to ensure the safe recovery of the victims while avoiding collateral damage.
“It suffices to note that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damages and to equally ensure that the innocent children and teachers were safely rescued. However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” the statement added, without giving details of the casualties.
According to the military, the rescued pupils and teachers are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will subsequently be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
The GOC commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing strategic guidance and support for the operation, and also appreciated Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for his support to security agencies.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, other service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA, and heads of other participating security agencies for ensuring effective coordination throughout the operation.
The military also thanked the media and Nigerians for their support and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to enhance ongoing efforts to protect lives and property across the country.
