Army Commander, Security Team Behind Oyo Rescue Finally Revealed

The successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State was the result of a month-long intelligence gathering operation and a coordinated effort involving the Nigerian Army and several security agencies.

According to Ireporter Online, the victims regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity, sparking celebrations across communities, especially in the Ogbomoso area of the state. Residents, travellers and passers-by reportedly expressed excitement as news of the rescue spread.

The Nigerian Army revealed that the operation was led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, with support from personnel from various military, intelligence and paramilitary organisations.

Major General Nnebeife played a central role in coordinating the intelligence-led mission that resulted in the safe recovery of the abducted pupils and teachers. He currently serves as the GOC of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division, headquartered at the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment in Ibadan.

The senior military officer assumed command of the division on August 19, 2025, taking over from Major General Obinna Onubogu. At the time, he pledged to strengthen the division’s operations, improve troop welfare and enhance the effectiveness of security efforts under his command.

Before the Oyo rescue mission, Major General Nnebeife had supervised other successful military operations, including efforts in Babasango Forest, Kwara State, where two kidnapped victims were rescued.

Beyond his role as GOC 2 Division, Nnebeife also serves as the Force Commander of Operation FANSAN YAMA Sector 3, a Nigerian Army security operation established to tackle terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities.

The rescue operation was a joint effort involving several security and intelligence agencies. The mission, which lasted for more than a month, reached a successful conclusion on July 10, 2026, following sustained efforts to locate the victims, identify the abductors and disrupt their criminal network.

According to security authorities, agencies involved in the operation included special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter Terrorism Centre and the Defence Headquarters.

Personnel from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and National Intelligence Agency also contributed to the mission.

Other participants included operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters who provided valuable knowledge of the surrounding terrain.

Specialised tactical units trained in counterterrorism, intelligence gathering and hostage rescue operations were also deployed. These included elements of the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service, Defence Headquarters Special Operations Forces and Nigerian Army Special Operations Forces.

The Department of State Services also supported the operation through its special tactical teams, which assisted in tracking the kidnappers and weakening their operational network.

The Nigerian Air Force provided aerial surveillance and intelligence support, using reconnaissance capabilities to monitor suspected locations, gather vital information and track movements around criminal hideouts.

Local hunters and community security groups further strengthened the operation by providing information about forest routes and difficult terrains.

Security sources stated that the operation focused on identifying the kidnappers’ leaders, cutting off their supply routes, arresting collaborators and locating hideouts linked to the criminal group.

The combined pressure from the security forces eventually forced the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, marking a major breakthrough in efforts to combat kidnapping and insecurity in the region.