By Joke Kujenya
THE NIGERIAN Army has expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian media, security agencies, the Oyo State Government and members of the public for their support, cooperation and confidence, following the successful rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that in a statement issued on 10 July 2026, the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the Army was grateful to media organisations and Nigerians for their unwavering support throughout the operation.
“We sincerely thank the various media houses and indeed the entire Nigerian populace for their support, understanding and for having faith in the security architecture of the nation,” the statement said.
The Army also appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen ongoing efforts to protect lives and property across the country.
Their appreciation followed the successful rescue of the victims on Friday, July 10 2026, who were kidnapped on 15 May 2026 from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to the Army, the rescue was achieved through a carefully planned, intelligence-led operation conducted on 10 July 2026 by troops of the Nigerian Army under the leadership of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General C.R. Nnebeife.
Danjuma noted that the operation involved personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Defence Headquarters, Special Forces from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy and Nigerian Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), other security agencies, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and members of the Amotekun Corps.
The Army also disclosed that the operation lasted for more than a month and focused on identifying and dismantling the terrorist network responsible for the abduction, including its kingpins, logistics chain, informants and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park (OONP) and other locations.
It stated that multiple arrests were made in Oyo State and other parts of the country, disrupting the criminal network and placing sustained pressure on the abductors, which eventually led to the unconditional release of the pupils and teachers.
Further operations, it added, will continue to apprehend other members of the network.
The statement added that the operation was meticulously planned to avoid collateral damage and ensure the safe rescue of the victims, although some security personnel sustained casualties during the mission.
The Army said the rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital before being handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
It says that on behalf of all participating agencies, the General Officer Commanding (GOO) thanked President Bola Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief (C-i-C) of the Armed Forces, for what he described as his strategic guidance, steadfast support and the provision of resources that contributed significantly to the success of the operation.
The Army also conveyed its appreciation to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of the state for their continuous support to security agencies, particularly throughout the period of the rescue efforts.
In addition, it acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Minister of Defence; the Chief of Defence Staff; the Chief of Army Staff; the other Service Chiefs; the Inspector-General of Police; the Directors-General of the DSS and NIA; and heads of other security agencies for fostering the seamless inter-agency coordination that made the operation possible.
Defence authorities reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining ongoing operations against criminal elements and urged Nigerians to continue partnering with security agencies by providing actionable intelligence to enhance national security.
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