The Nigerian Army says security forces are making steady progress in efforts to rescue the pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State, expressing optimism that the victims will soon be reunited with their families.
Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this during an interactive session with media executives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
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The victims, comprising 39 pupils and seven teachers, were abducted on May 15 from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to the Army Chief, troops involved in the rescue mission have continued operations aimed at locating the victims and dismantling the criminal network responsible for the abduction.
“Operations are ongoing to rescue the children abducted in Oyo State, and we are making tremendous progress,” Shaibu said.
Beyond the Oyo rescue mission, the Army Chief outlined developments across the country’s various operational theatres, saying troops remain engaged in counter-insurgency, anti-banditry and anti-crime operations across Nigeria.
He said troops under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East have sustained pressure on terrorist groups, recording significant operational gains, including the elimination of senior insurgent commanders and the surrender of several fighters.
Shaibu noted that improved security has enabled more displaced communities to return home, citing the recent closure of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Bama, Borno State.
In the North-West, he said Operation Fansan Yamma continues to target armed bandit groups through coordinated military operations that have led to the recovery of weapons and the neutralization of criminal elements.
He also highlighted ongoing operations in the North-Central under Operations Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke and Savannah Shield, which he said have strengthened security across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and parts of Kogi State.
According to him, security conditions in the South-East have improved considerably, while military operations in the South-South have contributed to increased oil production through sustained action against crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism and illegal refining activities.
The Army Chief described the South-West as relatively stable, noting that the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State remains one of the major security concerns in the region.
Shaibu also announced ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s manpower, revealing that the Federal Government has approved the establishment of a new military training depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State.
The new facility joins existing depots in Zaria, Kaduna State, and Osogbo, Osun State, with the combined capacity to recruit and train 28,000 new soldiers.
He said the Army has already graduated thousands of recruits from its existing depots, while additional personnel are expected to complete training at the Ebonyi facility in the coming months.
According to the Army Chief, the military has also reviewed its training curriculum to place greater emphasis on counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency operations and advanced combat skills.
He added that the Army has continued to modernize its capabilities through the acquisition of armoured vehicles, mine-resistant platforms, surveillance systems and unmanned aerial vehicles, alongside specialized training programmes for personnel both within and outside Nigeria.
Shaibu reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to protecting lives, safeguarding national security and responding decisively to emerging threats across the country.
SOURCE: NAN
