Rescue Operation Ongoing for Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers — Army Chief

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has assured Nigerians that efforts are ongoing to rescue the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State, saying the military is making significant progress in the operation.

Shaibu gave the assurance during an interactive session with media executives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State and whisked away dozens of pupils and teachers in one of the most shocking school kidnappings in southwestern Nigeria in recent years.

“Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children abducted in Oyo State, and we are making tremendous progress,” the army chief said.

The abduction has triggered widespread concern among residents and reignited fears over the growing spread of mass kidnappings beyond Nigeria’s northern region into the South-West. The incident also sparked protests and renewed calls for improved security around schools and communities.

Security agencies have since intensified intelligence gathering and military operations aimed at locating the abductors and securing the safe return of the victims. The Nigerian military has reportedly deployed additional resources and coordinated efforts with other security agencies as part of the ongoing rescue mission.

The Oyo school abduction is the latest in a series of attacks targeting educational institutions across Nigeria, highlighting the persistent security challenges facing the country and raising fresh concerns about the safety of schoolchildren and teachers.