The Nigerian Army has confirmed that security personnel suffered casualties during the month-long intelligence-led operation that culminated in the rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The disclosure was contained in a statement dated July 10, 2026, signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma.
The victims, who were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, regained their freedom on July 10 following what the military described as a carefully coordinated rescue operation involving multiple security and intelligence agencies.
According to the Army, the operation was coordinated 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), Defence Headquarters, Special Forces of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
The military said the operation targeted the criminal network responsible for the abduction by identifying and dismantling its leadership, logistics chain, informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park forest.
“The operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damage 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 said.
The Army did not disclose the number of personnel killed or injured during the operation.
It explained that security operatives carried out a series of arrests in Oyo State and other parts of the country, disrupting the kidnappers’ operations and placing sustained pressure on the group.
According to the military, the arrests completely disorganised the criminal network and ultimately forced the abductors to release the pupils and teachers unconditionally.
“These arrests completely disorganized the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,” the statement added.
The Army said follow-up operations are continuing to apprehend other members of the criminal network and dismantle any remaining terrorist cells linked to the abduction.
The rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital before being handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
The victims were abducted on May 15 when armed terrorists attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro Esiele/Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area. A total of 39 pupils and seven teachers were taken hostage during the attack.
The incident claimed the lives of two teachers. Adegboye Adesiyan was killed during the attack on the schools, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, died while in captivity.
The abduction sparked widespread outrage and protests across Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, prompting the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to direct public school teachers to withdraw their services from June 1 in protest against worsening insecurity.
In response, President Bola Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.
Following the successful operation, the Presidency disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, while several other members of the criminal gang were neutralised during the rescue mission.
The rescue brought an end to 56 days of captivity for the pupils and teachers and has been widely welcomed by the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other stakeholders, who have commended the coordinated efforts of the security agencies while calling for stronger measures to protect schools and prevent future attacks.
