By Ioannes Paulus
IBADAN – The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, has revealed that the rescue of abducted pupils, teachers and the school principal from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State was the culmination of a 56-day intelligence-driven military operation involving multiple security agencies and local stakeholders.
Speaking during the formal handover of the rescued victims to the Oyo State Government, Major General Nnebeife described the operation as one of the most complex hostage rescue missions undertaken in recent times, noting that security forces remained resolute despite difficult terrain, casualties and sustained pressure.
He disclosed that troops were mobilised immediately after the abduction on May 15, 2026, but the terrorists had already retreated deep into the Oyo National Forest before security operatives arrived.
“On May 15, at about 10 a.m., we received information about the abduction while conducting an event in the barracks. We immediately deployed troops from nearby formations and moved to the scene, but unfortunately the terrorists had already disappeared into the forest,” he said.
According to the GOC, initial search operations involving troops, local hunters, vigilantes, drones and aerial surveillance by the Nigerian Air Force yielded limited results because of the dense forest cover.
“There are places in that forest where even sunlight cannot penetrate. Drones flew over the area and the Air Force conducted surveillance, but visibility was extremely poor. We had to rely heavily on ground operations,” he explained.
Major General Nnebeife disclosed that the mission claimed the lives of one Army officer and one soldier, while several other personnel sustained injuries during fierce encounters with the kidnappers.
“It was during one of those operations that we lost an officer and a soldier. Others were wounded, including one who suffered a severe gunshot injury that fractured his arm,” he said.
As the operation progressed, it evolved into a coordinated national security mission involving the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Defence Headquarters Special Forces, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Operation Safe Haven, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
The Army commander said the security agencies deliberately rejected any form of negotiation with the kidnappers, choosing instead to dismantle the terrorist network responsible for the abduction.
“We will never yield to terrorists’ demands. Our focus was to identify the terrorist leaders, dismantle their network and cut off their logistics and supply routes,” he stated.
He explained that the sustained pressure on the criminal network, including the disruption of its logistics chain and the arrest of suspected collaborators in different parts of the country, eventually forced the terrorists to release the victims unconditionally.
“When we successfully blocked their major logistics hub, they were left with no option but to release the victims without conditions,” Nnebeife said.
Despite the successful rescue, the GOC stressed that the military’s operation against the terrorist group would continue until its members were completely neutralised.
“It was never just about securing the release of the victims. Our mission is to eliminate the terrorists operating in that region and across the country,” he added.
Major General Nnebeife disclosed that the victims were rescued on July 10 but confirmed that two teachers lost their lives while in captivity.
Paying tribute to the fallen soldiers, he described their sacrifice as instrumental to the success of the operation.
“The same morning we buried the officer who died in the operation, we rescued the victims later that evening. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” he said.
The GOC commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing strategic direction, operational support and the resources required for the rescue mission.
“The President received daily operational briefings. His strategic guidance and unwavering support contributed immensely to the success of the operation,” he noted.
He also praised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for his consistent collaboration with security agencies, dismissing reports suggesting the governor was not actively involved.
“Contrary to some reports, Governor Makinde regularly contacted us to monitor the progress of the operation. He provided all the necessary support throughout the mission,” Nnebeife said.
The Army commander further acknowledged the contributions of the National Security Adviser, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, the National Intelligence Agency, the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, medical personnel and local security volunteers.
He revealed that intelligence obtained from suspects arrested by the police proved crucial to locating the terrorists’ hideouts.
“The Commissioner of Police facilitated the arrest of suspects, some of whom were airlifted by helicopter into the forest to help identify the terrorists’ camps and provide actionable intelligence,” he said.
Major General Nnebeife also thanked the media and Nigerians for keeping public attention on the abduction, saying the sustained interest helped maintain momentum throughout the rescue operation.
“We appreciate the media and the Nigerian people. While many were putting pressure on us, we were working round the clock. That pressure reminded everyone of the urgency of the mission,” he said.
He urged citizens to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible intelligence, stressing that effective national security requires active public participation.
“There can be no effective security without the cooperation of the people. Nigerians must continue to provide useful information to security agencies. We must also address the issue of collaborators within some vigilante and hunter groups, as our investigations uncovered instances of internal collaboration with the terrorists,” he added.
