By Kingston Magare 11.2026
After 54 days with little food and shelter 39 students and teachers kidnapped by gunmen in Oyo regained their freedom. According to the Nigeria army, the rescue mission was intelligence driven and the captors had no choice but to surrender the kids.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, the spokesperson for 2 Division in Ibadan, focused on the identities of the kidnap kingpins behind the adoptions, which later led to the gruesome killing of one of the teachers Michael Oyedokun in captivity. Another teacher Adegboye Adesiyan was shot dead by the gunmen at the start of the ordeal.
He said several arrests around Oyo State were made: “The arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers.”
The operation led by Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife Officer Commanding (GOC) of 2 Division, shifted into the Old Oyo National Park forest, putting pressure on the terror group holding the kids and their teachers.
He stated that the security forces recorded casualties during the operation but did not provide details on the number or identities of those affected.
The army spokesperson said further operations would continue to track down other members of the network believed to be a breakaway faction of Boko Haram and dismantle any remaining terrorist cells linked to the abduction.
Other security agencies that participated in the crackdown include; Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS), Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces (DHQSOF), Nigerian Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) snipers, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) special units, Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and Department of State Services (DSS) Special Tactical and Anti-Terrorism Team (STATT).
