FIC Report (Oyo State) – The Nigerian Government has rescued the abducted pupils, students and their teachers from the captivity of terrorists, who had kidnapped them on 15th of May, 2026, from their schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The rescue operation was finally executed in the evening of Friday July 10th by the combined team of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy’s Special force, the Special Boat Service, the Nigerian Airforce’s special force, the Nigeria Police’s special force, the Department of the State Service, the Nigerian intelligence Agency, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter-Terrorism Centre, the Oyo State’s arm of the Western Nigeria Security Network, AMOTEKUN, Hunter groups, vigilantes and other support services.
The Nigerian Presidency had broken the news of the rescue of the kidnapped people via an X tweet by Bayo Onanuga, a spokesman for the President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who posted that the Oriire students and their teachers had been rescued by the combined team of the Nigerian Security Services.
Onanuga wrote that all those who were kidnapped during the attack on their schools had been freed through a coordinated security operation.
In a statement, accompanied by photographs and a video of some of the rescued victims, Onanuga said that eight of the suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria’s domestic intelligence agency.
He stated that several other suspects were killed during the operation.
According to Onanuga, no ransom or prisoner exchange was involved in securing the victims’ release.
He said the kidnappers had earlier demanded, among others, the release of an alleged gang leader currently facing prosecution, the request which was rejected, according to him.
“There was no quid pro quo in the rescue operation, as the kingpin whose release was demanded by the kidnappers is being prosecuted for his alleged crimes,” he said.
Onanuga added that the security agencies would provide a comprehensive account of the operation in due course.
Confirming the announcement by the Presidency, the Nigerian Army has released the preliminary settlement on the rescue operation, which was spearheaded by its 2nd Division.
In the statement released by the General Officer Commanding(GOC) of the Division, Major-General C.R. Nnebeife, the Army said: “Following an intelligence-led carefully planned and executed operations, on 10 July 2026, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, *Major General CR Nnebeife*, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) specifically the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters with Special Forces elements from the Nigerian Army, Navy the Air Force and the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies as well as local vigilantes/hunters/Amotekuns, in a well coordinated operation rescued a total of 44 pupils and teachers kidnapped by terrorists from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on 15 May 2026.
Giving further details, in the statement, which was said by the Ag. Deputy Director of the Division’s Public Relations, Lt. Colonel Danjuma Jonal Danjuma, the GOC said that “the operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorists kingpinsthat masterminded the kidnapping, bursting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest, Oyo State.
“As part of the operations, multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and in other locations across some States in the Country. These arrests completely disorganized the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers. Further operations are to be conducted.
The Nigerian Army stated further that “It suffices to note that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damages and to equally ensure that the innocent children and teachers were safely rescued.However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces.
According to General Nnebeife, “the pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosedhospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government in due course so as to be reunited with their families.
Elaborating on the leadership role of the president, which has enabled the rescue team to achieve the best results, the GOC 2 Division said: “I wish to on behalf of all the participating agencies most sincerely and respectfully thank and appreciate His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for the Strategic Guidance, Support and for all the provisions that made the operations a huge success.
Also acknowledging the contribution of Oyo state to the success of the operation, General Nnebeife said I ” wish to once again thank the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde and indeed the good people of the State for their continous support to security agencies especially during the trying period.
The GOC likewise expressed the team’s appreciation to “the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Hon Minster of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and the Directors General DSS and NIA as well as Heads of other Security Agencies for their support and for the opportunity to relate directly with all the security agencies to ensure a seamless coordination and execution of the operations” the release said.
Addressing the country after his spokesman and the Nigerian Army have broken and confirmed the news to the country and the rest of the world, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his released response to the successful rescue operation, said “tonight, our nation has reason to give thanks. The children and teachers abducted by Ansaru terrorists in Oyo State have been rescued by our security forces, alive and unharmed. No ransom was paid. No concession was made.
“I salute every officer and operative whose courage, discipline, and professionalism made this possible.
“To those who seek to spread fear through terror, know that the Nigerian state will pursue you relentlessly. We will protect our people, defend our communities, and never relent until peace and security prevail across our country” the president said.
Recall that the FIC Ibadan recently had reported that, while performing the reopening ceremony of the recently remodelled 154-Bed Premier Hotel in Ibadan, the president had vowed to the people of Oyo State and Nigerians in general that his government was going to rescue alive the Oriire pupils, students and their teachers.
Report by
Moses Oyelade,
AD(I&PR). FIC, Ibadan.
