The Nigerian Army has announced the unconditional release of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State on May 15, following weeks of coordinated security operations involving multiple security agencies.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Army said the rescue operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Defence Headquarters, and Special Forces drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), alongside other security agencies.

According to the Army, the operation, which lasted for more than a month, focused on identifying the terrorist leaders responsible for the abduction and dismantling their operational network, logistics chain, informants, and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park Forest.

The military disclosed that the operation resulted in the arrest of several suspects in Oyo State and other parts of the country, significantly disrupting the activities of the criminal group.

“These arrests completely disorganized the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers,” the statement read.

The Army explained that the operation was carefully planned and executed to ensure the safe rescue of the victims while minimizing collateral damage. It, however, acknowledged that some security personnel sustained casualties during the operation.

According to the statement, the rescued pupils and teachers are currently receiving medical care at an undisclosed hospital. They will be handed over to the Oyo State Government after undergoing medical evaluations before being reunited with their families.

The military added that follow-up operations are ongoing to track down and apprehend other members of the criminal network involved in the abduction.

The Army reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and assured Nigerians that security agencies would continue to intensify efforts to dismantle terrorist and criminal networks across the country.