The Nigerian Army has said the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State followed a sustained military operation that began immediately after the victims were kidnapped and culminated in their release after nearly two months in captivity.
According to a report by Punch published on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, said troops launched a relentless pursuit of the abductors from the first day of the incident but encountered challenges after the kidnappers retreated into dense forest.
“The security forces pursued the abductors from day one, but they had moved deep into the forest,” Nnebeife said.
He explained that the operation involved the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes, and other security agencies. According to him, aerial surveillance was initially ineffective because of the thick forest canopy, prompting the deployment of ground troops to continue the search.
Nnebeife disclosed that the operation came at a significant cost, with two soldiers killed and several others injured. He added that one soldier sustained a gunshot wound that fractured an arm during the mission.
The Army commander said security forces also targeted the kidnappers’ support network by identifying key collaborators, disrupting supply routes, and tracking associates operating in Adamawa and Kano states. He noted that these coordinated efforts gradually weakened the group’s operations and restricted its movement.
According to Nnebeife, the breakthrough came after security operatives blocked the kidnappers’ major logistics base in Ashamu, forcing them to release the abducted teachers and pupils without conditions.
He emphasized that, beyond securing the victims’ freedom, the military remains committed to dismantling terrorist groups and criminal networks operating in the region.
