By Eshioromeh Sebastian
The Defence Headquarters has disclosed how multiple security agencies and local vigilantes collaborated over several weeks to secure the release of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from Oyo State on 15 May 2026.
The victims—comprising pupils from Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community High School (Ahoro-Esinele), and L.A. Primary School (Ahoro-Esinele)—were freed on Friday following intelligence-led operations across the dense terrain of Old Oyo National Park, where the abductors had camped their hostages.
In a statement issued Friday not, the Defence Headquarters said the rescue mission brought together troops of the Nigerian Army led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General CR Nnebeife, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Defence Headquarters, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies, as well as local vigilantes, hunters, and Amotekun operatives.
“The operations, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorists 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, Oyo State,” the military spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said in the statement.
As part of the operations, the military said multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and in other locations across some states in the country.
“These arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,” Danjuma stated.
Security sources revealed that multiple strategies were deployed beyond direct confrontation. Military personnel reportedly sabotaged food supply to the forest reserve where the terrorists were camped, weakening the group’s ability to sustain their operation. Some associates of the abductors living outside their camps were also picked up by security forces, further weakening the terrorists’ negotiating position.
The Defence Headquarters noted that the operations were carefully planned and executed to avoid collateral damages and to equally ensure that the innocent children and teachers were safely rescued.
“However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” the statement read.
The abductees were taken on 15 May when heavily armed men launched coordinated attacks on the three schools. One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, was later killed in captivity.
Throughout the 56-day ordeal, the kidnappers made extreme demands, including a ransom of up to 1 billion Naira and the release of detained terrorist commanders. The government maintained a firm stance, refusing all demands for prisoner exchanges or ransom payments.
The Defence Headquarters said the pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government in due course to be reunited with their families.
In a video released by the presidency, Vice Principal Alamu Folawe expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu and security operatives.
“We understand your commitment to our safety, and we appreciate all you did for us,” Folawe said. “Every security operative, they tried so much, and that is why we are still alive now.”
The GOC 2 Division, on behalf of all participating agencies, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the strategic guidance and support that made the operations a huge success, according to the statement.
“The GOC also wishes to once again thank the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde and indeed the good people of the State for their continuous support to security agencies especially during the trying period,” Danjuma added.
The GOC also appreciated the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, and heads of other security agencies for their support and for the opportunity to ensure seamless coordination and execution of the operations.
The Defence Headquarters indicated that further operations are to be conducted to track down the remaining members of the kidnapping gang who fled during the operations.
“We sincerely thank the various media houses and indeed the entire Nigeria populace for their support, understanding and for having faith in the security architecture of the Nation,” the statement read.
“We urge all to remain vigilant and continue to support all security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would assist in the ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and properties across Nigeria,” Danjuma said.
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