ABUJA (FN) — Forty‑four schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State have been released after more than a month in captivity, following what Nigerian authorities described as a sustained, intelligence‑driven offensive that dismantled the criminal network behind the kidnapping.
The victims were seized on May 15 in Oriire Local Government Area, prompting a nationwide search and a multi‑agency operation targeting the syndicate’s leaders, logistics suppliers, informants and forest hideouts. Officials said the kidnappers “succumbed to overwhelming pressure” and released the hostages unconditionally.
The rescue effort was led by Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, commander of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, working in coordination with the Office of the National Security Adviser through the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the Defence Headquarters, Special Forces from the Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilante groups including hunters and the Amotekun Corps.
In a statement, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, acting deputy director of Army public relations for the 2 Division, said the month‑long operation focused on “bursting and dismantling” the syndicate’s operational backbone inside the Old Oyo National Park Forest and other locations across the country.
He said multiple arrests were made, disrupting the group’s command structure and cutting off its ability to hold the hostages. “These arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,” the statement said.
The Army added that the operation was carefully planned to avoid civilian casualties, though some security personnel were killed. Officials did not disclose the number of casualties.
The rescued pupils and teachers are receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
Nigeria has struggled with repeated kidnappings for ransom, particularly in rural communities where armed groups operate with limited resistance. While mass school abductions are more common in the country’s north, the Oyo incident underscored the spread of kidnapping networks into other regions.
Security analysts say the operation highlights the growing use of intelligence‑led tactics and inter‑agency coordination in Nigeria’s counterterrorism strategy. “This was a complex rescue that required cooperation across multiple agencies,” one analyst said. “It shows progress, but the underlying threat remains.”
Public reaction has been largely positive, with many Nigerians praising the rescue while calling for stronger protection for schools. Some rights groups urged the government to invest in early‑warning systems and community‑based security networks to prevent future attacks.
Major General Nnebeife described the rescue as a “testament to the effectiveness of intelligence‑led and inter‑agency collaboration,” commending the professionalism of all participating units. Authorities say additional operations will continue to track remaining members of the syndicate.
