Nigerian Army reports progress in Oyo school abduction rescue

Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has confirmed that Nigerian troops are making “tremendous progress” in the mission to rescue 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers abducted in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. Shaibu addressed the situation on Saturday during an interactive session with media executives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day commemorations.

 

Gunmen launched a violent attack on three schools in the Oriire area on 15 May, kidnapping 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal. Tragically, the abductors killed Michael Oyedokun, one of the teachers, while he was in captivity. The incident has since sparked significant public outrage and widespread protests demanding the immediate release of the remaining victims.

 

Regarding the military response, Shaibu stated that rescue operations are currently underway. “Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children abducted in Oyo State, and we are making tremendous progress,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

 

 

In a broader briefing, Shaibu highlighted the successes achieved by troops under Operation Hadin Kai in the north-east, where more than 1,872 insurgents have been neutralised, while numerous others have surrendered. He noted that improved security conditions have allowed many displaced persons to return to their homes, specifically referencing the recent closure of an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Bama, Borno State.

 

Additionally, the COAS reported that Operation Fansan Yamma remains focused on the systematic destruction of bandit groups operating within the north-west.