The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, has explained why aerial surveillance failed to locate the 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State, saying the dense forest canopy of the Old Oyo National Park prevented drones and aircraft from detecting the kidnappers’ hideout.
According to a Punch report published on Monday, July 13, 2026, Nnebeife made the disclosure during a press conference on the rescue operation.
He said the Nigerian Army deployed drones and the Nigerian Air Force after the victims were abducted from three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele, Yawota, and Alawusa communities on May 15. However, the thick vegetation prevented aerial teams from identifying the location of the abductors.
“Because of how thick the forest is. The Air Force flew over and couldn’t see anything; the drone team also flew and got nothing. That was how we assisted with the ground operation,” Nnebeife said.
The Army commander explained that the failure of aerial surveillance made a ground operation necessary, with troops entering the forest to track and rescue the victims.
Nnebeife also disclosed that the operation came at a heavy cost, with one Army officer and one soldier killed, while several other security personnel sustained injuries during the mission.
