By Isaac Olufemi Ojo
IBADAN — In a major breakthrough for national security, a multi-agency task force led by the Nigerian Army has successfully rescued 44 students and teachers who were abducted by terrorists in Oyo State two months ago.
The captives, who were kidnapped from the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026, were liberated following what military authorities described as a “surgical, intense, and well-coordinated” operation.
The rescue was officially confirmed via a statement released on the official Instagram handle of the Nigerian Army Headquarters (@hqnigerianarmy).
According to the military, the successful mission was the result of over a month of high-stakes intelligence gathering and tactical maneuvers.
The operation was spearheaded by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General CR Nebeite.
The task force leveraged a robust collaboration between the Nigerian Army and several federal security and intelligence bodies, including:
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), specifically the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC).
The Defence Headquarters, which deployed Special Forces from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
The Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Significantly, the Nigerian Army’s statement highlighted the vital role of grassroots intelligence, noting the integration of local vigilantes, hunters, and members of the Oyo State Security Network, Amotekun, into the mission.
In the update posted to their Instagram page, the military high command explained that the mission was a strategic campaign designed to permanently dismantle the criminal infrastructure terrorizing the region.
“The operations focused on identifying the terrorist kingpins that masterminded the kidnapping, bursting and dismantling their networks and logistics links, including their informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest,” the statement detailed.
Troops navigated the challenging terrain of the Old Oyo National Park, utilizing intelligence-led tactics to corner the kidnappers and ensure the safe recovery of the 44 victims on July 10, 2026. This operation marks a significant strategic victory for the security forces in the South-West region.
