Army Making Significant Progress To Rescue Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers COAS

Army Making Significant Progress to Rescue Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers COAS The Chief of Army Staff COAS, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has assured Nigerians that troops are making significant progress in ongoing operations to rescue the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Shaibu gave the assurance during an interactive session with media executives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration. He expressed confidence that the victims would soon be rescued safely and reunited with their families. “Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children abducted in Oyo State, and we are making tremendous progress,” the Army Chief said, adding that the military remains committed to ensuring the successful conclusion of the rescue mission. The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity and school safety in the South-West. Highlighting the Nigerian Army’s broader security operations, Shaibu said troops under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East had recorded major successes against insurgents and terrorists. He disclosed that the military, working in collaboration with the United States, recently neutralised a high-profile Islamic State commander, Abu Bilal al-Minuki. According to him, Operation Hadin Kai has eliminated more than 1,872 insurgents, while many others have surrendered to the military. He added that the improved security situation had enabled displaced persons to return to their communities, citing the recent closure of the Internally Displaced Persons IDPs camp in Bama, Borno State. The Army Chief also highlighted gains recorded in other parts of the country. He said Operation Fansan Yamma had continued to weaken bandit groups in the North-West, while Operations Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke and Savannah Shield had enhanced security across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and parts of Kogi State. In the South-East, Shaibu noted that security had improved considerably, while operations against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline vandalism in the South-South had contributed to increased oil production. He described the South-West as one of the country’s most peaceful regions, apart from the recent school abduction in Oyo State. To strengthen the Army’s operational capacity, Shaibu disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, bringing the total number of Army depots to three. He also said the military had acquired armoured personnel carriers, mine resistant vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs, while thousands of new recruits are undergoing intensive training to address emerging security challenges across the country. The Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting lives and property and assured the families of the abducted pupils and teachers that every effort was being made to secure their safe return.