Kidnapped School Children and their Teachers in Oyo State Rescued by Security Agencies

The kidnapped schoolchildren and teachers by bandits and terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been rescued after about 56 days in captivity.

A statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga confirmed that the victims were freed through the efforts of combined security agencies.

HIS FULL STATEMENT:

STATEHOUSE PRESS STATEMENT 

PRESIDENT TINUBU EXPRESSES JOY OVER THE RESCUE OF ORIIRE ABDUCTED CHILDREN AND TEACHERS, COMMENDS SECURITY AGENCIES

President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound joy at the successful rescue of the children and teachers from Oriire community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, by the security forces. 

President Tinubu praised the heroic efforts of the security agencies, especially the military, the DSS and the police, for working round the clock in the last 56 days to secure the release of the abducted children and their teachers without any collateral damage and for arresting eight of the abductors and neutralising others.

President Tinubu regretted the anguish that the children and their teachers, as well as members of their families and the entire nation, have experienced since the sad occurrence.

For cooperating with the Federal Government in all rescue efforts, President Tinubu commended the Oyo State Government and charged it to ensure adequate security around schools across the state. 

"I am profoundly happy that our security forces successfully rescued the abducted pupils and teachers from Orire, Ogbomoso in Oyo State today after a military, police and intelligence-driven operation that neutralised some of the terrorists that perpetrated the evil act and the arrest of eight of them. 

"This successful military operation has ended the siege and standoff of over 50 days and has brought relief to the entire nation and the affected families in particular. On behalf of the country, I express my gratitude to the officers and men of our armed forces, the intelligence agencies and the police for the safe rescue of the children and their teachers. 

"My government will get justice for these children and their teachers and for the family of Mr Oyedokun, who the terrorists gruesomely murdered. 

"I must commend the government of Oyo State for working cooperatively with us in bringing this unfortunate incident to a successful end," the President said. 

President Tinubu has also directed that the emergency agencies work with the Oyo State Government to provide all necessary medical and relief support to the children and the teachers. 

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President 

(Information and Strategy)

July 10, 2026

NIGERIAN ARMY TROOPS THWART MASSIVE TERRORIST NIGHT ATTACK ON CHIBOK COMMUNITIES

RESCUES 12 ABDUCTED TEENAGE GIRLS IN ASKIRA/UBA, BORNO STATE

Troops of the Nigerian Army have successfully thwarted a planned midnight attack on Chibok communities in Borno State and another development successfully rescued 12 teenage girls abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Mussa District of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Borno State. The victims, aged between 15 and 20, were kidnapped on 23 November while harvesting crops on their family farmlands and were freed on Saturday, 29 November, following a swift, intelligence-led operation by troops of Operation HADIN KAI in the southern Borno axis, the Nigerian Army said.

According to the press release by the Nigerian Army on the respelled attack in Chibok which involved over 300 terrorists from multiple fronts, began at about 0250 hours (2:50 a.m.) Saturday and was decisively defeated through swift intelligence, tactical manoeuvre  and superior firepower by troops of 28 Task Force Brigade.

The troops, who were on alert, detected early enemy movement, enabling them to quickly assume battle positions and engage the terrorists from multiple fronts. The fierce firefight lasted for over two hours, during which the gallant soldiers held their ground firmly and prevented the terrorists from breaching the security of the adjoining towns.

The terrorists, on observing the break of day, started a disorderly withdrawal towards the Azir axis into the Sambisa Forest, attempting to cross the Main Supply Route Damboa–Biu. In response, 25 Brigade was tasked to occupy pre-designated ambush positions ahead of Azir Bridge to cut off and neutralize the fleeing terrorists, with guidance provided by a Nigerian Army Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI deployed a Super Tucano aircraft and as the advancing interdiction forces closed in, the terrorists dispersed. Troops subsequently disrupted their withdrawal. No personnel or equipment was lost, underscoring the high level of combat readiness, professionalism and resilience displayed by the forces involved.

 

The rescued girls have been evacuated to a secure military facility where they are receiving comprehensive medical care, psychological support and debriefing. Upon completion of these processes, they will be formally reunited with their families. Their recovery has brought immense relief to the community, which had been gripped by fear following the abduction.

The rescued victims include Fatima Shaibu (17), Fatima Umaru (15), Hauwa Abubakar (18), Saliha Muhammed (15), Sadiya Umaru (17), Amira Babel (15), Zara Adamu (17), Nana Shaibu (15), Zainab Musa (18), Zainab Muhammed (17), Jamila Saidu (15) and Hauwa Hamidu (17).

The military high command commended the doggedness of the troops for their swift response and acknowledged the crucial support of security stakeholders and local informants whose timely information enabled the successful rescue. Troops continue to pursue ISWAP remnants across southern Borno to prevent further attacks and safeguard civilians.

The Nigerian Army calls on communities to continue supporting ongoing operations by providing credible and timely information, emphasizing that collaborative efforts are essential to defeating terrorism and ensuring lasting security.

While exploitation operations in and around Chibok remain ongoing, the Nigerian Army assures the public that concerted efforts are being intensified to track down escaping elements and deny them freedom of movement. The footage of the mass withdrawal of terrorists after the failed attack has been obtained and is being analyzed for further operational action.

The Nigerian Army reaffirms its relentless commitment to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and ensuring the safety of all citizens.

The prolonged war against Terrorists since 2009 has claimed many lives and cost Nigerian State fortune. The Christians have been the primary targets of terrorism in Nigeria.

NAF bombards bandit kingpin’s camp, kills 25 terrorists in Katsina

In an operation conducted yesterday, the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji successfully hit the camp of a notorious bandit kingpin, Alhaji Dutsi, in Katsina State.

The Nigerian Air Force airstrikes resulted in the elimination of over 25 terrorists, disrupting criminal activities in the area.

#ENDSARSMEMORIAL: LETTER TO MY BROTHERS IN UNIFORM - A Poem by Ola Olawale

Tributes and Tears: LETTER TO MY BROTHERS IN UNIFORM

In uniform lies your power

The power to kill and mute

In uniform lies your power

The power to repress

In uniform lies your dignity

The dignity to be human

In uniform lies your courage

The courage to stand tall

If you don't know, know now that

This uniform is a symbol

This uniform is an authority

This uniform is a collective power

The power to protect not to kill

The power to serve not to exploit

The power build not to destroy

But the stories are otherwise

If you don't know

The system has caged your voice

The system has muted your tongue

The system has enslaved your mind

They make you see your brothers as enemies

And your enemies as friends

And fighting, those fighting your battle

And to what ends?

Outside the uniform

Your pains are mine

Outside the uniform

We both live among the

Wretched of the earth

From hand to mouth

The market price and bills

Has no regard for Uniform

Our needs are uniform

The Uniform makes no difference

Your children like mine are out of school

Your graduates like mine are jobless

Our roads are death trap

Our hospitals are mogul

The drop from the illicit

Won't make you any difference

Reason out of Slavery

Think outside the box

Only if you know that

Those you protect are your enemies

Those you murder on order

Are your true friends

Because they speak where you are mute by duty

Dear brothers in uniform

Join the battle for freedom

Not against it

Come to the side of Justice

Move to the side of humanity

Defend your friends

Battle along with your friends

so together we can defeat our common enemy.

How Nigerian Air Force pays terrorists/bandits N20 million to avoid shooting down Buhari’s plane

The gun truck with 12.7 caliber anti-aircraft fire was reportedly disassembled and transported back to the military on motorbikes after the deal was concluded.

The Nigerian Air Force coordinated ransom payments to armed bandits in exchange for an anti-aircraft gun seized from the Nigerian Army, The Wall Street Journal said, in a desperate deal that was brokered as President Muhammadu Buhari was planning a trip to Katsina.

The U.S. outlet said N20 million was delivered to the bandits in Rugu Forest by a Nigerian Air Force official, who leaked details of the operation under anonymity, because the military realised that it would be too risky to leave the weapon in the hands of violent criminals operating in an area the presidential jet would fly over. 

The rugged, lawless jungle that covers parts of Kaduna, Zamfara and the president’s home state of Katsina has served as a vast haven for bandits terrorising Nigeria’s northwestern communities. A large portion of kidnapping plots emanates or terminates in or around the forest, security agencies have previously warned. 

“The mission to buy back the antiaircraft gun began with a handoff from a high-ranking air force intelligence officer in the capital Abuja: a black zip-up bag he said was full of 20 million Nigerian naira,” the paper reported, after stating that such military hardware in the hands of bandits “posed a threat to President Muhammadu Buhari, who had been planning to fly to his hometown about 80 miles away.”

The gun truck with 12.7 caliber anti-aircraft fire was reportedly disassembled and transported back to the military on motorbikes after the deal was concluded. 

The Journal did not specify when the deal was brokered or the presidential trip that was planned. The president has been in his hometown at least twice this year that his office disclosed to the public. The first trip was in late January and another in July. 

Although the Nigerian government claimed combat victories against armed bandits, several military bases have been sacked by the violent criminals dreaded largely for their abduction of schoolchildren and prominent personalities, including politicians and emirs. 

Last month, a forward operating base crucial to the military campaign against banditry was raided in Zamfara, leaving at least 12 officers killed. The bandits also seized military equipment when they captured the base in Dansadau, about 80 kilometres south of the capital Gusau, in the September 11 operation.

Less than two weeks later on September 24, bandits again struck a joint base of security forces in the neighbouring Sokoto State, killing several soldiers, Civil Defence officers and civilians. 

The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed on July 19 that bandits had shot down one of its fighter jets, but the pilot was able to eject without and there were no casualties. The incident came as Mr Buhari was visiting his hometown for this year’s Sallah. 

It was not immediately clear why service chiefs opted for a ransom payment in the operation described by The Journal. Military weapons that fell into the hands of Boko Haram insurgents and bandits were usually destroyed by airstrikes. 

Whereas Mr Buhari has promised to be tough on the bandits and publicly railed against governors negotiating with them, his government has been known to pay ransom to terrorists and other violent criminals.

The government paid millions of dollars to free some of the Chibok girls seized in 2014 under President Goodluck Jonathan. It also facilitated hundreds of millions of naira in ransom to bandits who seized schoolchildren in Niger State earlier this year.

The Gazette has yet to hear back from the Nigerian Air Force about the reported N20 million ransom to bandits.

Source: SM