By Our Reporters

More facts have emerged, revealing how the operation to free the 44 school children and teachers abducted in Oyo State was carried out.

The pupils, alongside seven of their teachers regained freedom on the 56th day of their captivity following a joint military operation.
Kidnapped on May 15, 2026, in Orire Local Government Area, LGA, sources familiar with the operation say that intelligence played a key role to rescue the victims. The Army, Police and Department of State Services, DSS, shared intelligence that established the whereabouts of the captives.

The operatives were said to be aware that a forceful rescue could result in casualties. Instead, they closely monitored the terrorists’ communications. The strategy was said to pay off as communications between the abductors and their relatives were intercepted, helping operatives establish their identities.

To mount non-kinetic pressure on the terrorists, security operatives were reportedly deployed to the kidnappers’ home states, where their relatives were subjected to intense pressure.

Under pressure from security agents, the family members reportedly relayed the development to the terrorists, who became increasingly disturbed by the prospect of losing their loved ones. A statement by the Nigerian Army also alluded to this development.

It was further learnt that the decision of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, to impose a curfew last week further disrupted the terrorists’ operations.

The kidnappers had reportedly planned to relocate their captives to Kainji in Niger State.
But with Makinde, on June 24, declaring a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas of the state, with effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026, the measure was said to have thwarted the terrorists’ escape plan, thereby making it possible for security operatives to close in on them.

However, it was gathered that in the course of the operation, one of the soldiers was killed.
As of press time, there was no official confirmation of casualties. However, an officer, Lieutenant F.A Isaac, has been confirmed killed during the operation.

Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, in a statement said the operation was carefully planned and executed by troops led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C. R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, specifically the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, the Defence Headquarters, with Special Forces elements from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force and the Nigeria Police, as well as the Department of State Services, DSS.

Other agencies that participated in the operation included the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun.

The statement said: “The operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorists’ kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, disrupting 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.

“It suffices to note that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damage 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.

“The pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention in an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government in due course before being reunited with their families.

“The GOC 2 Division wishes to, on behalf of all the participating agencies, most sincerely and respectfully thank and appreciate President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the strategic guidance, support and all the provisions that made the operation 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 GOC also appreciates the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and the Directors-General of the 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 seamless coordination and execution of the operations.

“We sincerely thank the various media houses and indeed the entire Nigerian 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.”

Speaking on the development, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, said the recurring cases of kidnapping underscored the need to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.

In his words: “I am greatly relieved and delighted to learn of the safe rescue of the schoolchildren who were kidnapped. I sincerely thank all those whose tireless efforts made their freedom possible, especially the security personnel and everyone who worked behind the scenes.

“While we celebrate this happy outcome, we must remember that no child should ever have to endure such trauma. The recurring incidents of kidnapping, particularly of schoolchildren, underscore the urgent need to strengthen our security architecture and make the protection of lives and property the foremost responsibility of government. Our children deserve to learn in an atmosphere of safety, not fear. We must continue to work towards building a Nigeria where every child can pursue education without the threat of violence or abduction.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and presidential candidate of the Action Democratic Congress, ADC, welcomed the development, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.

Atiku commended the courage, professionalism and sacrifice of the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies whose gallantry made the operation possible.

“No serious government should be consumed by the politics of re-election while innocent schoolchildren have remained in the custody of kidnappers for weeks. The first campaign of any responsible administration must be the campaign to rescue its citizens, restore security and reassure anxious families. Politics can wait; the lives of innocent children cannot. Yesterday should have been dedicated to the war room, not the campaign room.

“What Nigerians expected yesterday was to see a Commander-in-Chief leading from the front. Following the successful rescue operation, the President ought to have immediately addressed the nation alongside his defence chiefs, not merely to announce the good news, but to brief Nigerians on the operation, acknowledge the bravery of the troops, highlight the lessons learned, reassure families that no effort would be spared to rescue those still in captivity, and send an unmistakable message to bandits and terrorists that the Nigerian state remains resolute.

“Such moments are not ordinary press events; they are defining demonstrations of leadership that strengthen public confidence, boost military morale, and remind criminal elements that they are confronting a government that neither sleeps nor surrenders.

“Instead, the responsibility of announcing one of the most significant security successes in recent times was left to the President’s spokesman while the President remained publicly engaged in political activities.

“When our troops accomplish a difficult mission, they deserve visible presidential recognition. When citizens witness their President speaking with conviction after such an operation, they draw strength and confidence. Equally, those who seek to terrorise our people are reminded that they are confronting a united and determined state. The opposite risks creating an unfortunate perception that politics has taken precedence over the solemn responsibility of securing the nation.”

Other Nigerians including Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended the collaboration between government, security agencies and citizens to free the captives.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, however wants government to disclose the full circumstances surrounding the release of the schoolchildren, teachers and other victims.

The rights group also called on President Tinubu to apologise to the victims and the nation over what it described as a failure to prevent the abduction, while demanding 50 million naira compensation for each victim to support their rehabilitation, psychological recovery and educational reintegration.

National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said HURIWA welcomed the release of the victims after more than 50 days in captivity saying:
“We rejoice with the victims and their families, but the Federal Government owes Nigerians the whole truth about what transpired.”

HURIWA said added that “The public deserves to know whether the victims were rescued or released after negotiations. If there was a rescue operation, Nigerians should also be informed of the outcome, including whether any suspects were arrested,” it stated.

On his part, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, described the development as a confirmation of Tinubu’s commitment to tackling insecurity.

Also, Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, in a statement, the governor particularly hailed the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies involved in securing the release of the victims.