The successful 56-day rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State was achieved through a month-long, intelligence-driven operation led by the Nigerian Army and allied security forces.
The operation triggered widespread celebrations in the Ogbomoso area, while earning national acclaim for the troops and honoring personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Following the operation, the soldiers, their commanding officer and other security operatives have come into the spotlight, with many Nigerians commending their efforts and paying tribute to personnel who lost their lives during the operation.
According to the Army, the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, alongside personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
Here are key facts about the officers and security team behind the operation:
Meet Maj. Gen. Nnebeife
The rescue mission was coordinated by Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army.
According to the Army, he supervised the intelligence-led operation that culminated in the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Nnebeife assumed command of the 2 Division on August 19, 2025, at Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan, succeeding Maj. Gen. Obinna Onubogu.
In his assumption speech, he pledged to redouble efforts in the discharge of military duties while prioritising troop welfare and operational effectiveness.
Major General Chinedu Nnebeife. Credit: TVC
Before the Oyo rescue, Nnebeife led troops in an operation in Babasango Forest, Kwara State, where they rescued two kidnapped victims.
He also commands Operation FANSAN YAMA Sector 3
In addition to leading the 2 Division, Nnebeife serves as the Force Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMA Sector 3, one of the Nigerian Army’s internal security operations.
The operation involved multiple security agencies
The rescue was not carried out by the Army alone.
The multi-agency operation involved intense coordination over more than a month and culminated on July 10, 2026.
It featured elite operators from the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service (SBS), Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces (DHQSOF), Nigerian Army Special Operations Forces (SOF) snipers, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) special units, Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and Department of State Services (DSS) Special Tactical and Anti-Terrorism Team (STATT).
These were supported by Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and allied ISR assets for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Participating agencies also included Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes
The operation targeted the kidnappers’ network
The Army disclosed that troops focused operations around the Old Oyo National Park, where the kidnappers’ logistics routes, camps and informants were located.
Security operatives arrested eight suspected kidnappers in Oyo and other states.
According to the Presidency and the Army, the arrests disrupted the kidnappers’ network, while sustained military pressure and killing of some terrorists compelled them to release the victims.
The victims were rescued without the Federal Government acceding to the kidnappers’ reported demand for the release of a Boko Haram suspect standing trial for terrorism.
Security personnel suffered casualties
The Army said the operation was carefully planned to prevent collateral damage and ensure the pupils and teachers were rescued unharmed.
It, however, confirmed that there were casualties among security personnel but did not disclose the number or the agencies affected.
Victims are receiving medical care
According to the Army, the rescued pupils and teachers were taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention before being handed over to the Oyo State Government for reunification with their families.
The operation ended 56 days after gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
President Bola Tinubu commended the security agencies after the rescue, saying the children and teachers were freed without the payment of ransom.
See the pictures of the team below:
