The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has disclosed details of the intelligence-driven operation that led to the successful rescue of 44 abducted schoolchildren and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims, who were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, regained their freedom after a coordinated security operation that lasted for more than one month. According to the military, the rescue was achieved through extensive intelligence gathering, strategic planning, and close collaboration among several security and intelligence agencies.
In a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director of 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the operation was conducted under the leadership of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General C.R. Nnebeife.
The military explained that troops of the Nigerian Army worked alongside specialised teams from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local vigilante groups, hunters, and members of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun.
According to the statement, security operatives concentrated their efforts on identifying and dismantling the criminal network responsible for the abduction. Investigators tracked the terrorists’ logistics, communication channels, informants, and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest.
The military revealed that the sustained pressure mounted on the kidnappers resulted in multiple arrests in Oyo State and other parts of the country. These operations significantly weakened the criminal syndicate, disrupted its support structure, and eventually forced the terrorists to release all the kidnapped pupils and teachers without any ransom or conditions.
Authorities stressed that every stage of the operation was carefully planned to prioritise the safety of the victims while minimising risks to civilians. Although the mission was successful, the military confirmed that some security personnel sustained casualties during the operation.
”The operations were meticulously planned and executed to minimise collateral damage and ensure the safe rescue of the innocent children and teachers,” the statement noted.
The rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical evaluation and treatment at an undisclosed hospital. They will subsequently be handed over to the Oyo State Government before being reunited with their families.
The Defence Headquarters also indicated that follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the terrorist network and eliminate remaining criminal hideouts linked to the abduction.
The successful rescue has been described as another demonstration of the growing collaboration among Nigeria’s military, intelligence community, and local security stakeholders in tackling kidnapping, terrorism, and other violent crimes across the country.
Security analysts believe that sustained intelligence sharing, improved inter-agency cooperation, and community support remain critical to defeating criminal networks operating in forests and remote communities across Nigeria.
Why the Rescue Matters
The rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren highlights the importance of intelligence-led security operations in combating mass abductions. In recent years, schools have increasingly become targets for criminal gangs seeking ransom payments, making coordinated responses by security agencies essential for protecting lives and restoring public confidence.
The military has reassured Nigerians of its commitment to sustaining offensive operations against terrorist groups, kidnappers, and other criminal elements threatening peace and security nationwide.