The Nigerian Army has provided a detailed account of the joint security operation that led to the rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, on May 15, 2026. The victims were freed on July 10, 2026, after nearly two months in captivity.
Multi-Agency Operation Led by Army General
Major General CR Nnebeife, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army in Ibadan, spearheaded the operation. The coalition included special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser's National Counter Terrorism Centre, Special Forces from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, National Intelligence Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as local vigilantes, hunters, and Amotekun operatives.
Strategic Targeting of Terrorist Networks
The operation, which lasted over a month, was intelligence-driven. Security forces focused on locating the hostages and dismantling the criminal infrastructure supporting the kidnappers, including informants, supply chains, and hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park Forest. The Army described it as a carefully planned, intelligence-led mission to identify and neutralize the kingpins behind the abduction.
President Tinubu Reacts to Rescue
President Bola Tinubu expressed relief over the rescue, praising the security agencies for ending the 56-day ordeal. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed the development on July 10, 2026, stating that all abducted pupils and teachers had been freed.
