The Nigerian Army has announced that the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State on May 15 were released unconditionally by their captors following weeks of coordinated security operations.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Army said the rescue mission was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, and Special Forces drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as other security agencies.
According to the Army, the operation, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorist leaders behind the abduction and dismantling their operational network, logistics chain, informants and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park Forest.
The military disclosed that the operation led to the arrest of several suspects in Oyo State and other parts of the country, a development it said significantly disrupted the group’s activities.
“These arrests completely disorganized 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 and executed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims while avoiding collateral damage. It, however, acknowledged that security personnel recorded some casualties during the operation.
The statement further disclosed that the rescued pupils and teachers are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital and will be handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families after undergoing necessary medical evaluations.
The Army noted that follow-up operations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal network involved in the abduction.
