The Nigerian Army has revealed that the rescue of the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State was the result of a month-long intelligence-driven operation involving multiple security agencies and local vigilante groups.
The victims, who were kidnapped by terrorists on May 15, 2026, regained their freedom on July 10 after what the Army described as a carefully coordinated mission designed to dismantle the kidnappers’ network while ensuring the safe rescue of the hostages.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the Army said the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser through the National Counter Terrorism Centre, 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.
