The Nigerian Army has revealed that sustained intelligence-led operations and the dismantling of a terrorist network led to the unconditional release of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction on May 15, 2026, when armed terrorists attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele, and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esinele.
A total of 46 persons, comprising 39 pupils and seven teachers, were initially abducted during the attack. However, two teachers, Adegboye Adesiyan and Michael Oyedokun, lost their lives, reducing the number of those rescued to 44.
In a statement, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, said the successful rescue followed more than a month of coordinated intelligence-driven operations targeting the leadership, logistics and informant network of the terrorist group responsible for the abduction.
According to him, the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General CR Nnebeife, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Defence Headquarters, the Nigeria Police Force, the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), local vigilantes and hunters.
Danjuma said the operation focused on identifying and neutralising the kingpins behind the abduction while dismantling their operational network and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park forest.
He disclosed that several suspects were arrested in Oyo State and other parts of the country, disrupting the group’s operations and placing sustained pressure on its members.
“The arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,” he said.
The army spokesman explained that the operation was carefully planned and executed to secure the safe release of the hostages while minimising the risk of collateral damage.
He, however, acknowledged that security personnel recorded casualties during the operation but did not disclose the number or identities of those affected.
According to the army, the rescued pupils and teachers are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital before being handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
Danjuma added that security forces would continue operations to apprehend other members of the criminal network and dismantle any remaining terrorist cells linked to the abduction.
President Bola Tinubu, while welcoming the victims’ release, commended the security agencies for what he described as their heroic efforts. The President disclosed that many of the terrorists involved in the operation were killed, while eight suspects were arrested. He also directed relevant emergency agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical care, psychosocial support and other relief services to the rescued pupils and teachers.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also praised the security agencies for the successful operation, maintaining that no ransom was paid to secure the victims’ freedom. The rescue marks the end of one of the state’s most high-profile school abduction cases in recent years and highlights the continued collaboration among security agencies in combating kidnapping and terrorism.
