The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Chinedu Ralph-Nnebeife, on Monday recounted the rescue operation that freed 44 schoolchildren and teachers abducted in May by kidnappers in Oyo State. The handover ceremony took place at the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan, attended by Governor Seyi Makinde, state commissioners, senior military commanders, police, State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies.
Principal Recounts Ordeal
Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele—one of the schools targeted—spoke on behalf of the survivors. She described 56 days of fear, uncertainty, and psychological trauma. “For 56 days, we went through a harrowing experience,” Mrs Alamu said. “Many times, they used fear to subdue us. At some point, they told us the government was no longer interested in our case because it did not value us.” She recalled the killing of two teachers, including Michael Oyedokun, whose beheading was circulated in a viral video by the abductors to pressure authorities. “They killed them purposely because they believed that would force the government to do whatever they wanted,” she added. “We are still grateful that we have the government that thought much of us. It was until we got out that we saw that the whole world was interested in our case.”
Military Details Rescue Operation
Major-General Ralph-Nnebeife explained that troops moved into the forest immediately after the abduction on 15 May, when gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area—Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; Primary School, Esiele; and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota. The attack triggered widespread outrage and forced teachers across Oyo State to strike. The GOC noted that dense forest canopy hindered drones and surveillance aircraft, forcing a ground operation. “We deployed drones and the Air Force conducted surveillance flights, but because of the density of the forest, sunlight could hardly penetrate some areas,” he said. “The operation therefore became a ground operation deep inside the forest.” The operation expanded to include special forces, the Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Headquarters, Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, SSS, National Intelligence Agency, NSCDC, Amotekun Corps, hunters, and local vigilantes. Escape routes were blocked, including in Kwara State, and the kidnappers’ logistics network was dismantled.
Military Refused to Negotiate
The senior officer said security agencies refused to negotiate with the kidnappers despite sustained pressure. “We have always maintained that we will never yield to terrorists’ wishes, and we will never do that,” he stated. Sustained military pressure eventually forced the release of the victims. He emphasized the operation went beyond rescue: “It focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins, dismantling their network and cutting off their logistics.” He added, “We are not giving up on them. It is not over. We must see the end of terrorists operating in that region.”
Sacrifices and Recognition
A minute’s silence was observed in honour of two teachers and security personnel killed during the abduction and rescue. Mr Ralph-Nnebeife revealed that an officer and a soldier were killed, and several others injured. One fallen officer was buried on the same day the rescue operation achieved a major breakthrough. He commended President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and Governor Makinde for supporting the operation. Responding to criticisms, he dismissed claims of government indifference: “Contrary to what some reports suggested, the governor kept calling to know what was happening. He was deeply involved throughout the operation.”
