Army General Who Led Rescue of Oyo School Abduction Victims Redeployed
Major General Auwalu Mahmuda has taken over as the 56th General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division in Ibadan, Oyo State, succeeding Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, who has been redeployed to lead the newly established 10 Division in Jalingo, Taraba State.
The handover ceremony took place on Monday at the 2 Division Headquarters, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan.
Speaking after assuming office, Mahmuda thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for the confidence placed in him and promised to build on the achievements of his predecessor.
“I thank the Chief of Army Staff for finding me worthy of this appointment,” he said, adding that he would focus on improving operational effectiveness and strengthening security across the division’s area of responsibility.
He also praised Nnebeife for his contributions during his tenure, describing his achievements as remarkable.
Nnebeife’s time in command was highlighted by the successful rescue of more than 40 schoolchildren and teachers who were abducted from schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, prompting weeks of coordinated operations involving the military and other security agencies.
Although two teachers lost their lives while in captivity, the remaining victims were rescued after spending 56 days with their abductors.
According to Nnebeife, the operation was driven by intelligence gathering, careful surveillance and close collaboration among security agencies, without the payment of ransom.
He explained that troops navigated difficult terrain while tracking the kidnappers, describing the mission as one of the most challenging internal security operations carried out by the division.
The rescue was widely commended by the Oyo State Government and security experts as a major success in the fight against kidnapping in the South-West.
With Mahmuda now in charge, attention is expected to shift to sustaining ongoing military operations across the region, particularly efforts to combat kidnapping and support civil authorities in tackling security challenges.
The Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, based in Ibadan, remains one of the country’s key military formations, playing a critical role in maintaining security across several South-West states.
