The Nigerian Army on Friday said the pupils and teachers rescued after spending 56 days in captivity following their abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital before being handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
The Army disclosed this in a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, who said the victims would be handed over to the state government in due course.
According to the statement, the rescue followed an intelligence-led operation involving troops of the Nigerian Army led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, working alongside personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser, including the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Defence Headquarters, special forces from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun operatives.
The Army said the joint operation, which culminated on July 10, secured the freedom of all 44 pupils and teachers abducted by terrorists from schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
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It explained that the operation lasted for more than one month and focused on identifying the kingpins behind the abduction, dismantling their networks, logistics chains, informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park and other locations.
The statement added that several arrests were made in Oyo State and other parts of the country, disrupting the activities of the group and placing sustained pressure on its members, which eventually resulted in the unconditional release of the hostages.
According to the Army, further operations will continue to apprehend other members of the criminal network.
It stated that the rescue mission was carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damage and ensure the safe recovery of the children and their teachers, although some security personnel were killed during the operation.
The Army expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his strategic guidance, support and the provision of resources that contributed to the success of the operation.
It also thanked Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of the state for their continued support to security agencies throughout the period of the rescue efforts.
The statement further acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Defence; the Chief of Defence Staff; the Chief of Army Staff; other service chiefs; the Inspector-General of Police; the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA; and heads of other security agencies for ensuring effective coordination throughout the operation.
The Army also appreciated media organisations and Nigerians for their support and confidence in the country’s security architecture, urging members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies in the collective effort to protect lives and property.