Nigerian Army explains how Oyo students were freed from kidnappers

The Nigerian Army says its intelligence-led operations helped secure the “unconditional release” of 44 students and teachers kidnapped from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that on 15 May, armed men attacked the schools, Baptist Nursery and Primary School (Yawota), Community High School (Ahoro-Esinele), and L.A. Primary School (Ahoro-Esinele), and took 46 people, including 39 students and seven teachers.

Sadly, one teacher, Adegboye Adesiyan, was killed immediately during the attack, and another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, died while in captivity. This brought the number of those released to 44.

The victims spent 56 days with their captors but were freed on Friday after a month-long operation involving the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigerian Army, and the police.

President Bola Tinubu celebrated their release, praising the security forces for their “heroic” work. He also mentioned that many terrorists were killed, and eight were arrested.

The president promised justice for the victims and ordered emergency agencies to help the Oyo State Government provide medical and relief support to the children and teachers.

Governor Seyi Makinde thanked President Tinubu and also praised the operations, stressing that no ransom was paid for the release.

How the army secured the release

Jonah Danjuma, the spokesperson for 2 Division in Ibadan, said the captives were freed after more than a month of coordinated operations aimed at taking down the group’s leadership, logistics, and informant network.

Mr Danjuma explained that General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 2 Division, CR Nnebeife, led the operations in collaboration with ONSA, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), SSS, armed forces, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Defence Headquarters, police, Amotekun corps, local vigilantes, and hunters.

He said the security operation aimed to identify the key figures behind the abduction and dismantle their network and hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park forest.

The army spokesperson noted that several arrests were made in Oyo State and other areas, disrupting the group’s activities and putting pressure on its members.

“The arrests completely disorganized the group, put them under immense pressure, and ultimately led to the unconditional release of the pupils and teachers,” he said.

Mr Danjuma added that the operation was carefully planned to ensure the safe recovery of the hostages without causing additional harm.

He also mentioned that security forces faced casualties during the operation but did not detail the numbers or identities of those affected.

According to him, the rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical treatment at an undisclosed hospital before being handed over to the Oyo State Government to reunite with their families.

The army spokesperson said operations would continue to track down other members of the network and dismantle any remaining terrorist groups linked to the abduction.