The Nigerian Army has expressed optimism over the rescue of the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying troops are making significant progress in ongoing operations to secure their release.
The victims were abducted on May 15, sparking widespread concern and renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect schools. Security agencies have since intensified efforts to rescue the victims and apprehend those responsible.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, disclosed the latest development on Saturday during an interactive session with media executives at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 163rd Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2026.
“Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children abducted in Oyo State, and we are making tremendous progress,” he said, expressing confidence that the victims would be rescued safely and reunited with their families.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army remains actively engaged across the country’s six geopolitical zones to address evolving security challenges.
He said troops under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East had recorded significant successes against insurgents, including the recent neutralisation of a high-profile Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in collaboration with United States partners.
According to him, more than 1,872 insurgents have been neutralised under the operation, while many others have surrendered. He added that improved security had enabled displaced persons to return to their communities, citing the closure of the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama, Borno State.
In the North-West, Shaibu said Operation Fansan Yamma has continued to degrade bandit groups through the neutralisation of criminal elements and the recovery of weapons.
He added that in the North-Central, Operations Enduring Freedom, Whirlwind and the newly established Operation Savannah Shield have improved security across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and parts of Kogi states.
On the South-East, the Army chief said the security situation has improved considerably, noting that there were no reported disruptions during the last Christmas celebrations.
He also said Nigeria’s crude oil production has improved in the South-South following successful military operations against illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
According to him, the South-West remains one of the most peaceful regions of the country, aside from the recent abduction in Oriire.
Speaking on efforts to strengthen the Army, Shaibu disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the establishment of a new Army Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, bringing the total number of Army depots to three, alongside those in Zaria, Kaduna State, and Osogbo, Osun State.
He said the three depots are expected to train 28,000 recruits, with Zaria having graduated 6,000 soldiers, Osogbo 5,000 and Amasiri-Edda expected to graduate 3,000, bringing the total number of trained personnel so far to 14,000.
Shaibu explained that the Army had reviewed its training curriculum to place greater emphasis on marksmanship, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, with recruits now undergoing about 11 months of training, including advanced infantry and acclimatisation exercises.
He added that the Army had acquired armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant vehicles and uncrewed aerial vehicles, while personnel have been deployed within and outside Nigeria for specialised training on the newly acquired equipment.
“The acquisition of armed and surveillance drones, alongside enhanced aviation capabilities, has improved response times and operational success across theatres of operation,” he said, reaffirming the Army’s commitment to safeguarding the nation.
Also speaking, the Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, said Shaibu identified operational effectiveness, manpower development, personnel welfare and sound administration as the core pillars driving the Army’s transformation into a professional and combat-ready force.
She said the Army chief attributed recent operational gains to President Tinubu’s support, which has strengthened the Army’s capacity to confront security threats through joint operations with sister security agencies and international partners.
According to Anele, increased patronage of local defence manufacturers, including the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), the Command Engineering Depot in Kaduna and the Special Vehicle Plant in Bauchi, has enhanced the Army’s logistics capability and self-reliance.
She added that Shaibu also convened African army chiefs and defence stakeholders in Port Harcourt for the Third African Land Forces Forum, attended by military leaders from Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
She quoted the Army chief as describing the forum as a platform for strengthening interoperability and coordinating responses to terrorism, insurgency and transnational organised crime across Africa.
On personnel welfare, Anele said the Army has improved troop accommodation, subsidised education through the Nigerian Army Command Schools, upgraded medical services and expanded the Group Life Assurance Scheme, which has benefited about 15,000 personnel.
She noted that the Nigerian Army, established in 1863 as the Glover Hausas, has evolved into one of Africa’s most capable land forces, while the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, first observed in 1978, remains a tribute to fallen heroes. She added that the forum would also feature exhibitions of defence technologies and indigenous innovations.
Anele further disclosed that Shaibu held bilateral talks with the Chief of the Armed Forces of Guinea-Bissau, Major General Tomas Djass, on strengthening military cooperation within West Africa.
She said the Army chief stressed the importance of sustained collaboration to counter transnational threats, noting that Nigeria’s experience in counter-terrorism and peace support operations positions it as a key pillar of regional security. Djass, she added, commended the professionalism of the Nigerian Army and expressed Guinea-Bissau’s readiness to deepen joint training and knowledge exchange.
She also said the Chief of Army Staff commissioned a renovated community secondary school in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, another in Lueku, Khana Local Government Area, a town hall in Oyigbo Local Government Area and a solar-powered borehole in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State.
According to Anele, the projects are part of more than 250 Civil-Military Cooperation initiatives executed nationwide, including hospitals, classrooms, roads, ICT centres and water facilities aimed at supporting host communities.
