Army Gives Fresh Update On Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

The Nigerian Army says it has made encouraging progress in efforts to rescue the 46 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State, expressing confidence that those held captive will soon regain their freedom.

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this during an interactive session with media executives held as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

The victims, made up of 39 pupils and seven teachers, were kidnapped on May 15 after gunmen attacked three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to the Army Chief, troops are actively carrying out rescue operations and have recorded positive results in the mission to secure the release of the victims.

Shaibu also stated that the military remains fully engaged in security operations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones as part of efforts to tackle insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other criminal activities.

Speaking on the North-East, he said troops under Operation Hadin Kai have continued to record successes against insurgent groups operating in the region.

He disclosed that a recent joint operation involving Nigerian troops and United States partners led to the killing of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

The Army Chief also revealed that more than 1,872 insurgents had been neutralised, while many others voluntarily surrendered to security forces.

According to him, improved security has enabled thousands of internally displaced persons to return to their communities, pointing to the recent closure of the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama, Borno State, as evidence of the progress made.

Shaibu further stated that military operations under Operation Fansan Yamma in the North-West, as well as Operations Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke and Savannah Shield in the North-Central, have improved security across several parts of the country.

He added that security conditions in the South-East have also improved, while operations against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the South-South have helped increase Nigeria’s oil production.

Describing the South-West as one of the most peaceful regions in the country, the Army Chief said the abduction of the Oyo schoolchildren was an isolated incident receiving the military’s full attention.

He also announced new steps aimed at strengthening the Nigerian Army’s operational capacity.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, increasing the number of Army depots across the country to three.

Shaibu explained that the depots located in Zaria, Osogbo and Amasiri-Edda are expected to train about 28,000 recruits to boost the Army’s manpower.

He disclosed that 6,000 soldiers have already graduated from the Zaria depot, while another 5,000 completed their training in Osogbo. The Amasiri-Edda depot is expected to produce 3,000 recruits in the near future.

The Army Chief also said the military has updated its training programmes to strengthen counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. He added that additional armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles have been acquired to improve operational performance.

He noted that officers and soldiers continue to receive specialised training within Nigeria and abroad to improve their skills and readiness.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has assured residents that it is working closely with security agencies to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the state government remains committed to supporting the ongoing rescue efforts until all the victims are safely reunited with their families.

He appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and continue providing useful intelligence that could assist security agencies in their operations.