REVEALED: Inside the intelligence-led operation that forced Oyo kidnappers to flee

Fresh details have emerged on how a coordinated joint security operation forced the kidnappers of abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers to abandon their captives and flee deep into the forest, bringing an end to one of Nigeria’s most high-profile school abductions in recent years.

The successful rescue, which ended the victims’ 56-day captivity, followed an intensive intelligence-led operation involving troops of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Tactical Team, the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the Police Air Wing and local vigilantes.

According to security sources familiar with the operation, the rescue mission was carefully planned to prevent harm to the abducted pupils and teachers while cutting off escape routes used by the kidnappers.

Security operatives reportedly advanced through the forest from different directions over several days, combing difficult terrain and engaging suspected members of the kidnapping gang in separate encounters that disrupted their movement and weakened their ability to hold on to the captives.

One of the security sources disclosed that the operation intensified after intelligence gathered from local vigilantes and community members helped security personnel identify areas frequently used as hideouts by criminal groups.

“What happened was that while the soldiers were trekking through the forest searching for where the children were being held, they kept encountering some of the kidnappers on different routes and neutralising them.

“Initially, they thought the kidnappers would all be together with the children. But as the operation intensified, they discovered that the kidnappers had split into different groups and were fleeing through different routes,” the source explained.

According to the source, the local vigilantes provided valuable information that proved crucial to the operation because they possessed extensive knowledge of the forest and the movement of criminal elements within the area.

“The local vigilantes gave them useful information. They told them that anyone found in that section of the forest was most likely part of the criminal network because innocent people don’t operate there.

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“That intelligence helped the security team. Some of the kidnappers exchanged gunfire with the troops, while others escaped through different routes.”

The source further disclosed that security personnel spent several days inside the forest carrying out painstaking search operations before eventually locating the area where the victims were being held.

“They had been inside the bush for days carrying out the operation. They continued combing the forest until they eventually got to where the children and teachers were being kept.”

By the time the troops reached the location, the kidnappers had reportedly abandoned the victims in a desperate attempt to evade capture.

“When they finally got there, there wasn’t a single kidnapper left. They had abandoned the children and teachers and escaped through different routes because of the pressure from the security operation.

“They had already met some of the kidnappers on the way and killed some of them. The remaining ones fled, leaving the victims behind because they could no longer safely move them.”

The source identified members of the rescue team as troops from the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, operatives of the Office of the National Security Adviser Tactical Team, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force Air Wing, members of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and other specialised security units working under the coordination of the National Security Adviser.

“It was a joint task force. But the people who really led the operation were the NSA Special Squad, although military personnel and other security agencies also participated because they were all working under the coordination of the National Security Adviser,” the source added.

The Presidency had earlier confirmed that all the surviving abducted pupils and teachers had been rescued.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development, saying the victims regained their freedom through a coordinated operation carried out by the nation’s security agencies.

He subsequently disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the rescue mission and are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while several other members of the gang were neutralised.

Onanuga also revealed that no ransom or prisoner exchange was involved in securing the victims’ release, dismissing reports suggesting that the Federal Government negotiated with the kidnappers.

According to him, one of the notorious kingpins whose release had reportedly been demanded by the abductors remains in government custody and is being prosecuted for terrorism-related offences.

President Bola Tinubu commended the military, the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and intelligence agencies for the successful operation, describing it as a major victory against criminal elements terrorising communities.

The President also directed relevant government agencies to provide immediate medical attention, trauma counselling, rehabilitation and other forms of humanitarian support to the rescued pupils and teachers as they recover from their ordeal.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, after heavily armed gunmen attacked three schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The coordinated attacks targeted Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, where dozens of pupils and teachers were marched into nearby forests at gunpoint.

The attack claimed the life of Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan, who was shot while attempting to protect the children. Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed while in captivity, a development that intensified public outrage and heightened pressure on security agencies to secure the release of the remaining victims.

The kidnapping triggered nationwide condemnation, protests by parents, labour unions, teachers and civil society organisations, while the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on an industrial action that disrupted academic activities across Oyo State.

During the crisis, President Tinubu approved the deployment of specialised security personnel and authorised the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security across vulnerable forest corridors in Oyo State as part of broader efforts to combat kidnapping and banditry.

Although security agencies are yet to release a comprehensive operational report detailing every aspect of the mission, the rescue has been widely described as one of the most successful intelligence-led hostage rescue operations carried out in Nigeria in recent years.

Investigations are continuing as security agencies intensify efforts to apprehend the remaining members of the kidnapping syndicate and dismantle criminal networks operating within forests across the South-West.

REVEALED: Inside the intelligence-led operation that forced Oyo kidnappers to flee

How Nigeria will benefit from state police – IGP

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has thrown his weight behind the establishment of state police, describing the proposed reform as a transformative step that could significantly strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture, improve community policing and enhance intelligence gathering across the country.

Speaking at the Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit (UNCOPS 2026) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Disu said decentralising policing would bring law enforcement closer to the people, enabling officers to better understand the communities they serve and respond more effectively to emerging security threats.

According to the police chief, although the debate over state police has gained considerable momentum, the implementation process requires careful planning, broad consultations and institutional reforms to ensure the new policing system delivers its intended objectives without compromising national security.

“We are still at the teething stage. We need experience, education and comparative studies from jurisdictions already practising state police,” Disu said.

He noted that countries operating decentralised policing systems have demonstrated the importance of building strong legal frameworks, accountability mechanisms and operational guidelines before transferring policing responsibilities to sub-national governments.

The IGP explained that one of the biggest advantages of state police would be stronger community policing, where officers are recruited from and deployed within the states and communities they understand best.

According to him, officers who are familiar with local languages, cultures, traditions and geographical terrain are better positioned to earn public trust, identify security threats early and gather actionable intelligence capable of preventing crimes before they occur.

“It will bring policing closer to the people because officers will better understand the communities they serve. It will take us back to the era when almost everybody knew those policing their communities,” he said.

Disu stressed that improved relationships between residents and security personnel would encourage citizens to volunteer timely information, thereby strengthening intelligence gathering and enhancing the ability of security agencies to combat kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, cultism, armed robbery and other violent crimes.

He added that state police would complement—not replace—the Nigeria Police Force, allowing the federal police to concentrate more resources on national security responsibilities such as counter-terrorism, border security, cybercrime, organised crime and international policing.

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The IGP reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to professionalism, innovation and intelligence-led policing, saying the Force would continue to adopt modern policing strategies and deepen collaboration with local and international partners to improve public safety.

Disu’s remarks come at a time when momentum is building around the proposed State Police Bill, one of Nigeria’s most significant constitutional reform initiatives in recent years.

The proposed legislation seeks to transfer policing from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List of the 1999 Constitution, thereby allowing states that meet prescribed constitutional and operational requirements to establish, fund and manage their own police services while maintaining the Nigeria Police Force as the country’s federal policing institution.

Supporters of the proposal argue that Nigeria’s current centralised policing structure has become overstretched due to the country’s growing population and increasingly complex security challenges.

They believe state police would improve emergency response times, strengthen local intelligence networks, enhance crime prevention and enable state governments to address peculiar security challenges within their jurisdictions more effectively.

However, the proposal has also generated debate among legal experts, civil society organisations and political stakeholders.

Opponents have expressed concerns that state police could be abused by state governments for political purposes or used to intimidate political opponents if strong constitutional safeguards are not put in place.

Others have questioned whether every state possesses the financial resources, institutional capacity and technical expertise required to establish and sustain professional police services.

To address these concerns, the Federal Government has repeatedly stated that any framework establishing state police would include robust oversight mechanisms, operational standards, recruitment guidelines, disciplinary procedures and coordination structures to ensure accountability and seamless cooperation between federal and state policing institutions.

Shortly after assuming office as Inspector-General of Police, Disu inaugurated a Steering Committee on the Establishment of State Police, charging its members to study policing models from other countries and develop practical recommendations suitable for Nigeria’s unique security environment.

The committee is expected to examine issues relating to recruitment standards, funding models, command structures, operational jurisdiction, inter-agency cooperation, training requirements and mechanisms for preventing political interference.

Beyond domestic security, Disu used the UN summit to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to international peacekeeping and global security cooperation.

He noted that since participating in its first United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Congo in 1960, Nigeria has remained one of the organisation’s most dependable contributors to peace support operations.

“There is virtually no UN mission where you will not find Nigerian personnel serving with distinction,” the IGP said.

He paid tribute to Nigerian police officers and military personnel who lost their lives while serving in peacekeeping missions across different parts of the world, saying their sacrifices have earned Nigeria international recognition and respect.

“The United Nations will never joke with Nigeria’s contributions because of our commitment and sacrifices,” he added.

Disu also warned that criminals and terrorist groups are increasingly exploiting artificial intelligence (AI), encrypted communication platforms and digital technologies to coordinate sophisticated crimes across national borders.

He called for stronger international cooperation, improved intelligence sharing, greater investment in modern policing technology and equal access to digital investigative tools to help law enforcement agencies combat cybercrime, terrorism, transnational organised crime and other emerging security threats.

The Fifth United Nations Chiefs of Police Summit brought together police chiefs, ministers, security experts and senior law enforcement officials from around the world to discuss strategies for strengthening international policing, leveraging technology and improving collaboration in tackling evolving global security challenges.

As discussions on state police continue in Nigeria, stakeholders say the success of the proposed reform will depend largely on the legal safeguards, funding mechanisms, operational independence and accountability structures put in place to ensure the new system strengthens national security while protecting citizens’ rights and the rule of law.

How Nigeria will benefit from state police – IGP

Peter Obi reacts to rescue of abducted Oyo schoolchildren

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has welcomed the successful rescue of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers, describing their freedom after 56 days in captivity as a moment of relief for their families and the entire nation.

The victims regained their freedom on Friday after a coordinated joint security operation involving the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, local intelligence operatives and other security agencies.

The Presidency said the intelligence-led operation resulted in the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, while several others were neutralised during the mission. Authorities added that the rescue was carried out without collateral damage, bringing an end to one of the most high-profile school abduction cases recorded in Nigeria’s South-West.

The schoolchildren and teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen riding motorcycles attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

During the attack, 39 pupils and six teachers were taken into the forests around the Old Oyo National Park. Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan was shot dead while trying to shield the children from the attackers, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed during the victims’ captivity.

The kidnapping sparked nationwide outrage, forcing public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to embark on a month-long strike under the directive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). The industrial action disrupted academic activities and led to the postponement of the state’s Common Entrance Examination.

Reacting to the successful rescue on Saturday through his verified X account, Obi expressed gratitude to the security agencies and everyone involved in securing the victims’ freedom.

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“I am greatly relieved and delighted to learn of the safe rescue of the schoolchildren who were kidnapped,” Obi wrote.

“I sincerely thank all those whose tireless efforts made their freedom possible, especially the security personnel and everyone who worked behind the scenes.”

While celebrating the development, the former Anambra State governor warned that the incident once again exposed the country’s fragile security situation.

“While we celebrate this happy outcome, we must remember that no child should ever have to endure such trauma,” he stated.

“The recurring incidents of kidnapping, particularly of schoolchildren, underscore the urgent need to strengthen our security architecture and make the protection of lives and property the foremost responsibility of government.”

Obi said every Nigerian child deserves access to education in a safe environment, urging the Federal Government and state governments to invest more in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, rapid emergency response systems and stronger protection for schools and rural communities.

He also extended his condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones during the attack and urged security agencies to ensure that every member of the kidnapping syndicate is identified, arrested and prosecuted.

Earlier, President Bola Tinubu celebrated the successful rescue, commending the military, DSS and the Nigeria Police Force for sustaining intelligence-driven operations that eventually secured the victims’ release after 56 days in captivity.

The President described the operation as a significant victory in the fight against kidnapping and terrorism, saying it reflected his administration’s determination not to abandon Nigerians in distress. He pledged that justice would be served for all victims, particularly Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesiyan and teacher Michael Oyedokun, who lost their lives during the incident.

President Tinubu also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant federal agencies to work with the Oyo State Government in providing medical treatment, trauma counselling and humanitarian assistance for the rescued children and teachers.

Similarly, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde thanked the military, DSS, police, Amotekun Corps, local hunters, vigilantes and other security personnel whose combined efforts led to the rescue mission.

Makinde described the successful operation as a huge relief for Oyo State, assuring residents that his administration would prioritise the rehabilitation and psychological recovery of the rescued victims while strengthening security around schools and vulnerable communities across the state.

The governor also reiterated his commitment to working closely with the Federal Government and security agencies to prevent future attacks, improve intelligence sharing and enhance security in forests and border communities.

Security experts have described the successful operation as one of Nigeria’s most significant hostage rescue missions in recent years, noting that the intelligence-led strategy, sustained surveillance and collaboration among security agencies were crucial to freeing the victims without a major loss of life.

With eight suspects already in custody and investigations continuing, security agencies have vowed to track down the remaining members of the kidnapping gang and dismantle the wider criminal network responsible for the attack.

The rescue has brought relief to grieving families and renewed calls for governments at all levels to strengthen school security, improve rural policing and ensure that children across Nigeria can pursue their education without fear of abduction or violence.

Peter Obi reacts to rescue of abducted Oyo schoolchildren