After 56 days in captivity, the security agencies on Friday rescued all the pupils, students and teachers abducted by bandits from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The rescue operation of 44 pupils and teacher led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers while several others were neutralised.
TheHintsNews reports that victims were abducted on May 15 when bandits attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, seizing dozens of pupils, students and teachers.
Their abduction sparked nationwide outrage, with parents, labour unions, traditional rulers and civil society groups mounting sustained pressure on the authorities to secure the victims’ release.
The incident also triggered an indefinite strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Oyo State over growing insecurity in schools.
The Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lt-Col. Danjuma Danjuma in a statement issued Friday said their rescue followed an intelligence-led carefully planned and executed operation, on 10 July 2026.
The rescue operation involved troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Ibadan, Maj-Gen. CR Nnebeife, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) specifically the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC).
Other security agencies were: 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.
Danjuma noted: “The operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorists kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, bursting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest, Oyo State.
“As part of the operations, multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and in other locations across some States in the Country.
“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.
“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 pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government in due course so as to be reunited with their families.”
The GOC 2 Division wish to on behalf of all the participating agencies most sincerely and respectfully, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Strategic Guidance, Support and for all the provisions that made the operations a huge success.
Danjuma thanked the various media houses and indeed the entire Nigeria populace for their support, understanding and for having faith in the security architecture of the Nation.
He urged all to remain vigilant and continue to support all security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would assist in the ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and properties across Nigeria.