Abducted Oyo pupils, teachers regained freedom through intelligence-led operation – Army

The Nigerian Army has revealed that the 44 pupils and
teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their
freedom through a month-long intelligence-led joint security operation that
dismantled the kidnappers’ network.

 

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on
Friday by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations,
Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma.

According to the statement, troops of the Nigerian Army, led
by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division, Major General C.R.
Nnebeife, carried out the operation in collaboration with the Office of the
National Security Adviser through the National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC,
Defence Headquarters, Special Forces from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air
Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, DSS, the
National Intelligence Agency, NIA, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps,
NSCDC, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun personnel.

The Army said the operation, which lasted for more than a
month, focused on identifying the kingpins behind the May 15, 2026 abduction,
dismantling their logistics networks and tracking their informants and hideouts
within the Old Oyo National Park and other locations.

It stated that multiple arrests were made in Oyo State and
other parts of the country, a development that disrupted the terrorist group’s
operations and mounted sustained pressure on the abductors, ultimately leading
to the unconditional release of the victims.

According to the statement, the operation was carefully
planned and executed to ensure the safe rescue of the pupils and teachers while
avoiding collateral damage, although some security personnel recorded
casualties during the operation.

The Army added that the rescued victims are receiving
medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo
State Government for reunification with their families.

It noted that follow-up operations were ongoing to apprehend
other members of the criminal network involved in the abduction.

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