*The Nigerian Army unveils how an intelligence-led carefully planned and executed surgical operations eventually led to the rescue of 44 kidnapped school teachers and pupils of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, appreciating all the security agencies, and other stakeholders for ensuring a ‘seamless coordination and execution of the operations’
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
The Nigerian Army (NA) has disclosed that an intelligence-led carefully planned and executed operations led to the rescue of Oriire community school teachers and pupils Friday, July 10, 2026.
The NA affirmed that its troops in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Abuja, specifically the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters with Special Forces from the Nigerian Army, Navy, the Air Force, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies as well as local vigilantes/hunters/Amotekuns, in a well coordinated operation helped to rescue a total of 44 pupils and teachers kidnapped by terrorists from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Lieutenant-Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division of the Army Public Relations, in a statement Friday, July 10, 2026, disclosed Major-General C. R. Nnebeife, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, in Oyo State, led operations against the kidnappers to rescue the abductees from the Old Oyo Park forest.
The statement noted the operations, which lasted for over a month, focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, bursting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest.
Lieutenant-Colonel Danjuma noted as part of the operations, the Military operatives made multiple arrests within Oyo State, and in other locations across some states in Nigeria.
The statement noted: “These arrests completely disorganised 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 Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division, Ibadan, stated: “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.”
Rescued teachers, pupils receiving medical attention
The Nigerian Army said the rescued school teachers and pupils are currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital, and would be handed over to the Oyo State Government, and to be reunited with their families in due course.
Danjuma noted: “The GOC 2 Division wishes 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.
“The GOC also wishes to once again thank the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde and indeed the good people of the State for their continuous support to security agencies especially during the trying period.”
The statement noted the GOC of 2 Division of NA also appreciated the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the Honourable Minster for Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, and other Service Chiefs, Inspector-General of Police and the Directors-General DSS and National Intelligence Agency (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.
“We sincerely thank the various media houses and indeed the entire Nigeria populace for their support, understanding and for having faith in the security architecture of the Nation. “We urge all to remain vigilant and continue to support all security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would assist in the ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and properties across Nigeria,” Lieutenant-Colonel Danjuma said in the statement.