Nigerian Army Successfully Rescues Abducted Students and Teachers
The Nigerian Army has announced the successful rescue of 44 students and teachers from a school in the Oriile Local Government Area of Oyo State. These individuals had been held captive for 56 days by suspected Ansaru terrorists. This operation involved meticulous intelligence gathering and coordination among various security agencies.
The group consisted of 39 students and five teachers who were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, during a violent raid on Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery School/Primary School, and Los Angeles Primary School in the Eshiele and Yawota regions of Oriile LGA. Tragically, one teacher was killed shortly after the abduction.
According to Lt. Col. Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director General of Army Public Relations for the 2nd Division, the successful rescue resulted from weeks of surveillance and tactical operations led by troops under Major General Chinedu Nbeife, the General Officer Commanding the 2nd Division. The operation was executed with support from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC), along with contributions from the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, local vigilante groups, and hunters.
The military emphasized that the rescue operation was intentionally intelligence-led, which was crucial for ensuring the safe return of the victims. In a statement, the army underscored the importance of cooperation between various security and intelligence agencies in successfully concluding this lengthy ordeal.
Immediately after their rescue, the students and teachers were transported to a secure medical facility where they received essential medical and psychological support before being reunited with their families through assistance from the Oyo State Government.
The operation came just days after Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. John Widi Shaibu reassured the public that the military was closing in on the kidnappers. During a media briefing in Port Harcourt, he expressed confidence in the success of the mission to safely return the victims and reunite them with their loved ones.
This successful rescue operation marks a significant achievement for the federal government in its continued battle against terrorism and kidnapping. Shortly after the initial attack, President Bola Tinubu condemned the violence, directing security agencies to intensify their efforts to secure the release of the victims. He disclosed that the Inspector General of Police was personally leading a technology-enabled initiative aimed at tracking down the kidnappers, assuring the nation of impending breakthroughs and justice against the criminals involved.
As part of the rescue efforts, President Tinubu dispatched a high-ranking federal delegation, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and other senior security officials. Mr. Gbajabiamila reassured the community that all available resources would be mobilized to ensure the safe return of the children and teachers.
On Friday, President Tinubu declared the operation a resounding success, labeling it a pivotal victory in the fight against terrorism and kidnapping. He noted that eight suspects were apprehended during the operation, while several others were neutralized, bringing a much-needed sense of relief to affected families and the nation at large. The Nigerian Army has reiterated its commitment to intensifying its offensive against terrorist groups and kidnappers, urging citizens to continue providing timely and reliable information to enhance ongoing security measures.
