The Oyo State Government on Monday, July 13, 2026, formally took custody of the 44 teachers and students rescued from kidnappers after spending 56 days in captivity, as the Nigerian Army disclosed details of the complex operation that led to their freedom.
The victims, abducted on May 15 from Esinele and Jawata villages in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, were handed over to Governor Seyi Makinde by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife, at a ceremony in Ibadan.
Addressing the gathering, Major General Nnebeife said the rescue operation began immediately after troops received information about the abduction while conducting military exercises.
He explained that security operatives initially pursued the kidnappers into the forest but were hampered by the difficult terrain.
According to him, aerial surveillance by the Nigerian Air Force and drone teams yielded little result because of the dense forest canopy, forcing security forces to rely on sustained ground operations.
The GOC said the operation, which lasted for more than a month, involved troops from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), National Counter-Terrorism Centre, Defence Headquarters Special Forces, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), a special military team from Kainji, troops from Kwara State, Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
He disclosed that the military suffered casualties during the operation, including the loss of an officer and a soldier, while several others sustained injuries. Some local hunters also lost their lives.
Nnebeife said the operation extended beyond locating the victims, as security agencies focused on identifying and dismantling the kidnappers’ network, disrupting their logistics and tracking their collaborators within and outside Oyo State.
He said sustained pressure on the kidnappers eventually forced them to release the captives unconditionally on July 10.
He said, “We never yielded to the terrorists’ demands,” stressing that the military remained committed to defeating terrorism rather than negotiating with criminals.
Mr Michael Oyedokun, the first captive killed by terrorist in Oyo State
The senior military officer described the rescue as a product of coordinated intelligence and joint security efforts, adding that the success was made possible through the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the police, and Governor Makinde.
According to him, President Tinubu received regular operational updates throughout the mission, while Governor Makinde maintained constant communication with security commanders to monitor developments.
Deacon John Olaleye, the second kidnapped person killed while in captivity
Receiving the rescued victims, Governor Makinde expressed gratitude to the military and other security agencies for their sacrifices and professionalism.
The governor also thanked President Tinubu for providing the necessary support for the operation.
Describing the incident as unprecedented in Oyo State, Makinde said he hoped it would never recur.
He acknowledged the emotional and psychological trauma suffered by the victims, noting that the experience could not be erased overnight.
“What you have passed through in 56 days cannot be undone in 56 months,” the governor said.
The rescued kidnapped victims in group photograph with Governor Seyi Makinde and other top government officials
Makinde assured the rescued teachers and students that the state government would ensure there was no disruption to their education and careers.
He said the victims would remain under medical observation for about 48 hours before being reunited with their families, adding that their parents would be granted access during the period.
The governor also pledged to engage the management of the affected Baptist school to determine the best way to support the victims’ academic future.
Speaking on behalf of the rescued victims, the Principal of Baptist High School, Mrs. Racheal Folawe Alamu, recounted the ordeal they endured in captivity.
She said the abduction turned what began as a normal workday into a traumatic experience marked by uncertainty, fear and loss.
Alamu disclosed that two members of the group were killed by the kidnappers during their captivity in what she described as attempts to pressure the government into meeting the abductors’ demands.
She expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, security agencies and Nigerians for their unwavering support throughout the ordeal.
“We have scars already, but we believe with time we will heal,” she said.
The principal also narrated how the abductees were transported deep into the forest, saying they were first driven in her vehicle before trekking for about an hour and later conveyed on motorcycles for more than four hours through remote routes known only to the kidnappers.
She admitted that returning to work in a rural community would be emotionally difficult after the experience but expressed hope that, with time, healing would come.
The rescue of the 44 victims ended nearly two months of anxiety following the mass abduction that drew nationwide attention and prompted an extensive multi-agency security operation.
