The Nigerian Army has explained how its troops successfully rescued dozens of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State, saying weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated military operations led to the safe recovery of the victims from a forest hideout.
Military authorities said the rescue mission was the result of sustained surveillance and tactical planning carried out by security agencies after the victims were kidnapped from schools in Oriire Local Government Area in May.
According to the Army, troops traced the kidnappers to remote locations within the Old Oyo National Park, where the victims had been held for several weeks under difficult conditions. (punchng.com)
The Army said the operation was carefully planned to ensure that the hostages were not harmed during the assault. Soldiers reportedly surrounded the suspected camps before moving in, forcing the kidnappers into a confrontation while creating a safe route for the victims to escape.
Military officials disclosed that the operation led to the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, while others fled deeper into the forest as troops continued clearance operations in the area.
The rescued victims included 39 pupils and five teachers, who had spent more than seven weeks in captivity after armed men attacked their schools and took them away. They were later handed over to the appropriate authorities for medical checks and counselling before reuniting with their families. (punchng.com)
The Army stated that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the victims, stressing that the rescue was achieved through intelligence-driven military action and collaboration with other security agencies.
It added that the success of the operation highlights the importance of information sharing between security agencies and local communities, which played a key role in tracking the movements of the abductors.
Military authorities also praised the courage and professionalism of the troops involved in the mission, noting that every effort was made to protect the lives of the children and teachers throughout the operation.
The Army assured Nigerians that operations against kidnapping gangs would continue across the country, particularly in forest areas that have become hideouts for criminal groups.
It urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, saying timely intelligence remains one of the most effective tools in combating kidnapping and other violent crimes.