The Nigerian Army has disclosed that the 44 pupils and teachers abducted by terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State regained their freedom following a sustained intelligence-led joint security operation that lasted more than one month.
The development came as the Presidency and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar exchanged words over the latter’s response to the successful rescue, while the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) welcomed the operation and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde pledged to brief the public on the details of the rescue next week.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the spokesperson for the 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Lt. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the operation targeted kidnappers’ networks and hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park and other locations across the country.
According to him, the operation, coordinated by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj. Gen. C.R. Nnebeife, on Friday, July 10, involved personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, Special Forces of the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian 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 operatives.
Danjuma said the coordinated operation resulted in multiple arrests in Oyo State and several other states, effectively dismantling the kidnappers’ network.
“These arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to release the pupils and teachers unconditionally. Further operations will be conducted,” he said.
He explained that the operation was carefully planned to prevent collateral damage and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted victims.
“However, there were some casualties on the part of the security forces,” he added, without providing further details.
The Army spokesperson said the rescued pupils and teachers are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will subsequently be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
He added that the GOC appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his strategic guidance, support and provision of resources, while also commending Governor Seyi Makinde, the people of Oyo State and all participating security agencies for their resilience, professionalism and commitment throughout the operation.
Presidency, Atiku Clash Over Rescue
The successful rescue also sparked a fresh exchange between the Presidency and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his reaction to the development.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, in a post on his verified X account, alleged that Atiku failed to congratulate the Federal Government and security agencies hours after the victims regained their freedom.
“Almost 18 hours after the Oriire pupils and their teachers regained their freedom, Atiku Abubakar @atiku has not deemed it fit to rejoice with the Tinubu federal government, the security agencies and the traumatised victims.
“Previously, he weaponised the kidnap as a campaign issue several times since it happened 57 days ago. Now that the abductees are out, all is quiet on Atiku’s internet lane. No comment. No words of praise. Maybe, the veteran presidential runner is waiting for some bad news to attack Tinubu’s administration.”
Onanuga, however, commended Peter Obi for reacting to the rescue.
“Kudos to Peter Obi: At least, he has spoken and called for thanksgiving without commending the Commander-in-Chief.”
In his own reaction on X, Obi described the rescue as “worthy of thanksgiving” and praised security personnel involved in the operation.
“I am greatly relieved and delighted to learn of the safe rescue of the schoolchildren who were kidnapped,” Obi said.
“I sincerely thank all those whose tireless efforts made their freedom possible, especially the security personnel and everyone who worked behind the scenes.”
He stressed the need to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
“While we celebrate this happy outcome, we must remember that no child should ever have to endure such trauma.
“The recurring incidents of kidnapping, particularly of schoolchildren, underscore the urgent need to strengthen our security architecture and make the protection of lives and property the foremost responsibility of the government.
“Our children deserve to learn in an atmosphere of safety, not fear. We must continue to work towards building a Nigeria where every child can pursue education without the threat of violence or abduction.
“I rejoice with the children, their families, their schools, and all Nigerians on this heartening development.”
Atiku Rejects Presidency’s Claim
Responding through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku dismissed the Presidency’s allegation as “a reckless distortion of facts” that “collapsed under the weight of documentary evidence.”
According to the statement, “There were only two possible explanations for the Presidency’s latest outburst: either its media handlers were too lazy to acquaint themselves with publicly available facts before rushing to attack the opposition, or they were too embarrassed by the substance of his statement to acknowledge its existence.”
Atiku added:
“It is astonishing that a Presidency with limitless public resources could accuse someone of silence without carrying out the most basic verification.
“Either they failed to read our statement because they were too lazy to do so, or they deliberately ignored it because it exposed uncomfortable truths about their misplaced priorities.”
He maintained that he had earlier issued a statement titled “A Nation at War Needs a Commander-in-Chief, Not a Campaigner-in-Chief,” in which he welcomed the rescue and commended the security agencies.
“What we declined to do was to applaud a Commander-in-Chief who, at a defining moment of national importance, remained publicly preoccupied with partisan political activities instead of personally leading the nation in celebrating the success of our troops and reassuring families whose loved ones remain in captivity,” he said.
Atiku argued that the rescue coincided with the launch of the APC’s campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The politics of re-election should consume no serious government while innocent schoolchildren have remained in the custody of kidnappers for weeks. Yesterday should have been dedicated to the war room, not the campaign room.”
He also questioned when other abducted victims across the country would regain their freedom.
“The rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren brought joy to the nation, but Nigerians are still asking: When will the children abducted in Borno State and other innocent citizens across the country also regain their freedom? Those questions remain unanswered.”
Calling on the Presidency to focus on addressing insecurity, Atiku said:
“A government secure in its performance does not invent silence where there was a documented public statement. It responds to legitimate concerns with facts and results, not propaganda.”
NGF Hails Rescue, Makinde Promises Full Briefing
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum welcomed the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers.
In a statement by its Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the forum congratulated President Tinubu, describing the operation as the product of months of intelligence gathering, coordination and disciplined execution by security agencies.
The forum also commended the Oyo State Government for its collaboration with the Federal Government and celebrated the reunion of the victims with their families.
Governor Seyi Makinde, who visited the rescued pupils and teachers at the Military Hospital in Ibadan, said the state government would receive formal custody of the victims after medical evaluation.
“We’ll watch them over the next 48 hours, so by Monday we think an assessment will be done and maybe there’ll be a formal transfer from the military to the state. Then we can manage the process from that point forward,” he said.
The governor also promised to brief the public on the details of the rescue operation.
“In the course of the week, I will officially brief the people of Oyo State and the nation at large on what exactly has transpired.”
