PHOTOS: Meet Soldiers, General Behind the Rescue of 44 Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

• The rescue of 44 abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State was the result of a month-long intelligence operation led by the Nigerian Army and supported by multiple security agencies, local vigilantes and hunters.

The successful rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity has drawn national attention to the security personnel behind the operation.

The victims regained their freedom following a month-long intelligence-driven mission coordinated by the Nigerian Army in collaboration with several security agencies, local vigilantes and hunters.

News of the rescue sparked celebrations across parts of Ogbomoso, where residents, travellers and passers-by reportedly rejoiced as the operation came to a successful end.

The rescue mission was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, who supervised the intelligence-led operation that ultimately secured the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

Nnebeife assumed command of the 2 Division on August 19, 2025, at the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment in Ibadan, succeeding Maj. Gen. Obinna Onubogu.

During his assumption of office, he pledged to strengthen military operations while prioritising troop welfare and operational effectiveness.

Before leading the Oyo rescue mission, Nnebeife had successfully coordinated an operation in Babasango Forest, Kwara State, where troops rescued two kidnapped victims. He also serves as the Force Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMA Sector 3, one of the Nigerian Army’s internal security operations.

The Army said the rescue mission involved a coordinated effort by personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes.

Elite units, including the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS), Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces (DHQSOF), Nigerian Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) snipers, Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the DSS Special Tactical and Anti-Terrorism Team (STATT), also participated in the operation.

The Nigerian Air Force provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support throughout the mission.

According to the Army, the operation focused on dismantling the kidnappers’ network by identifying their kingpins, logistics routes, camps and informants operating within the Old Oyo National Park and other locations.

Security operatives arrested eight suspected kidnappers in Oyo State and other parts of the country, disrupting the group’s operations and forcing the terrorists to release the captives.

The Presidency and the Army said the victims were rescued without the Federal Government paying ransom or accepting the kidnappers’ reported demand for the release of a Boko Haram suspect standing trial for terrorism.

Although the Army confirmed that the mission was carefully executed to ensure the victims were rescued safely, it disclosed that some security personnel lost their lives during the operation. However, the number of casualties and the agencies affected were not made public.

The rescued pupils and teachers are currently 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 after gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

President Bola Tinubu commended the security agencies for the successful operation, stating that the children and teachers were rescued alive without the payment of ransom.

See photos below: