The Nigerian Army has disclosed that troops and other security agencies tracked the kidnappers of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State for more than one month before securing their freedom in a coordinated rescue operation.
The Army said the victims, who spent 56 days in captivity, regained their freedom on Friday after sustained intelligence gathering and coordinated operations targeted at dismantling the kidnappers’ network.
The Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
According to him, the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
He said the operation, which lasted for over one month, focused on identifying the terrorist leaders responsible for the abduction, dismantling their logistics network and exposing their informants and hideouts located in the Old Oyo National Park forest and other locations.
The Army disclosed that several suspects were arrested in Oyo State and other parts of the country during the operation, a development it said crippled the criminal network and forced the abductors to release the captives unconditionally.
It stated, “The arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers. Further operations are to be conducted.”
The Army added that the rescue operation was carefully executed to ensure the victims were freed without collateral damage, although some security personnel sustained casualties during the operation.
It also said the rescued pupils and teachers were receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital before being reunited with their families through the Oyo State Government.
The victims were abducted on May 15 when suspected Ansaru terrorists invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
Initial official reports indicated that 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted during the attack.
The assault also claimed the life of the Assistant Headmaster of L.A. Primary School, Joel Adesiyan, who was reportedly shot while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by the kidnappers while in captivity.
Although the Army announced that 44 victims were rescued, earlier official accounts had put the number of abductees at 46. The military did not clarify whether the figure excluded the two teachers who died.
Also confirming the rescue, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said all the remaining victims had regained their freedom.
Onanuga disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers had been arrested and were in the custody of the Department of State Services, while several other members of the gang were neutralised during the operation.
He added that the Federal Government neither paid ransom nor granted the kidnappers’ demand for the release of a Boko Haram commander standing trial for terrorism.
President Bola Tinubu also confirmed the successful rescue, describing it as a major victory for the nation’s security agencies.
The President stressed that no ransom was paid and no concession was made to secure the victims’ freedom.
Tinubu directed emergency response agencies to collaborate with the Oyo State Government in providing medical care and psychosocial support for the rescued pupils and teachers, while assuring that those behind the killings and abduction would face justice.
