Nigerian Army Rescues 44 Oyo Pupils, Teachers After 56-Day Ordeal

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, bringing to an end a 56-day ordeal that gripped the nation.

According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director of 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Defence Headquarters, and other security agencies.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Community High School and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities. A teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed during the initial attack, while another, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity.

The Army said the month-long operation focused on identifying the kidnappers’ leadership, dismantling their logistics network and cutting off their hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park forest. Nine terrorists were reported neutralised and eight others arrested and handed to the Department of State Services.

President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the rescue as ending “the siege and standoff of over 50 days” and pledged justice for the victims and for the family of Mr Oyedokun.

The rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed facility before being reunited with their families, the Army said, adding that follow-up operations continue to track down remaining members of the kidnapping network.