Fresh details have emerged on the coordinated security operation that led to the rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State, with authorities revealing that weeks of sustained intelligence gathering and joint military action forced the kidnappers to release their captives.
The victims, who were abducted on May 15 from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, regained their freedom after a prolonged operation targeting the criminal network responsible for the attack.
According to the Nigerian Army, the rescue mission was spearheaded by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, with support from multiple security and intelligence agencies under a coordinated national security framework.
The operation involved personnel from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, alongside the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local security outfits, including Amotekun Corps, vigilantes and hunters.
Military authorities said the operation relied heavily on intelligence to identify and dismantle the kidnappers’ operational network rather than focusing solely on securing the victims’ release.
Security operatives reportedly targeted the group’s leadership structure, logistics chain, informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park and surrounding areas. Several suspects were arrested during follow-up operations conducted in Oyo State and other parts of the country, significantly weakening the syndicate’s operational capacity.
The Army said the sustained pressure eventually compelled the kidnappers to release the victims without conditions.
Military authorities noted that considerable care was taken throughout the operation to ensure the safety of the abducted pupils and teachers, noting the heroic feat and painful loss of some members of the security forces that lost their lives during the mission.
The rescued victims are receiving medical attention before being reunited with their families through the Oyo State Government.
The Army described the operation as a demonstration of the effectiveness of intelligence-driven security operations and inter-agency collaboration in addressing kidnapping and organized crime.
Security authorities also confirmed that follow-up operations remain underway to apprehend other members of the criminal network and dismantle any remaining support structures linked to the abduction.
The military reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining intelligence-led operations across the country while urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible information capable of preventing criminal activities and improving public safety.
