The rescue of pupils and teachers kidnapped from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State was achieved through a joint security operation involving several military, intelligence and local security organisations.
The victims, who were abducted on May 15, 2026, regained their freedom after weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated operations led by the Nigerian Army alongside other security agencies.
Announcing the successful mission, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 2 Division, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the operation was carefully planned and executed to ensure the safe rescue of the captives.
According to the Army, the mission brought together personnel from the Nigerian Army, including the 2 Division and Special Forces, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
Military authorities disclosed that the operation lasted for more than a month and focused on identifying the kidnappers’ leaders, dismantling their criminal network and destroying their logistics and intelligence support structures located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest.
The operation also resulted in multiple arrests in Oyo State and other parts of the country. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services, while several other members of the gang were neutralised during the operation.
He announced that all the surviving pupils and teachers had been successfully rescued.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also confirmed the successful operation, stating that the victims were rescued alive without the Federal Government paying any ransom or granting the kidnappers’ demand for the release of a Boko Haram commander facing terrorism charges.
The President directed emergency response agencies to work with the Oyo State Government to provide medical treatment and other assistance to the rescued victims.
The Army explained that the operation was specifically designed to protect the lives of the abducted pupils and teachers by avoiding collateral damage. However, it acknowledged that some security personnel lost their lives during the mission.
The victims were kidnapped after armed men 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.
During the attack, Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan was reportedly killed while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later murdered by the kidnappers during captivity.
Although the Army announced the rescue of 44 victims, earlier official records indicated that 46 people were abducted. The difference is believed to reflect the deaths of the two teachers during the incident.
Following the rescue, residents of Ogbomoso and nearby communities celebrated the development, while political parties and other stakeholders praised the security agencies and called for stronger measures to prevent future attacks on schools.
