Fresh details have emerged on the joint security operation that led to the rescue of 44 schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.
The pupils were kidnapped alongside seven teachers from their school in Oriire Local Government Area of the state on May 15, 2026.
Sources familiar with the operation told Sunday Vanguard that the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and Department of State Services (DSS) worked together, sharing intelligence and coordinating efforts that eventually secured the victims’ freedom.
According to the sources, security agencies began gathering intelligence immediately after receiving the directive to rescue the pupils and their teachers.
After locating the captives, operatives reportedly concluded that launching a direct assault on the kidnappers’ camp could endanger the victims.
They subsequently adopted a combination of intelligence gathering and non-kinetic pressure.
The sources said security operatives monitored communications between the kidnappers and their associates.
Calls and messages between the abductors and their relatives were reportedly intercepted, enabling investigators to establish the identities and family links of some members of the gang.
The information was then used to track relatives of the suspected kidnappers in their home states.
Security personnel were said to have mounted pressure on the family members, who later communicated their situation to the abductors.
According to the report, the kidnappers became increasingly unsettled after learning that their relatives had been identified and were under scrutiny from security agencies.
A statement earlier issued by the Nigerian Army reportedly made reference to the use of sustained pressure in securing the victims’ release.
The sources also attributed the success of the operation to the curfew imposed by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, across parts of the state.
On June 24, Makinde announced a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas as part of measures to restrict the movement of criminal groups and support ongoing security operations.
The kidnappers were reportedly planning to move the victims to the Kainji area of Niger State before the curfew disrupted their movement.
Security sources said the restrictions narrowed the escape routes available to the gang and enabled operatives to intensify surveillance around the area where the captives were being held.
The combined effect of the curfew, intercepted communications and pressure on the suspects’ relatives was said to have paved the way for Friday’s operation.
The report said one of the captives might have d!ed during the operation, reducing the number of victims freed to 44.
However, there had been no official confirmation of the reported death as of the time of filing this report.
The exact number of pupils and teachers rescued also remained subject to clarification by the authorities.
Military sources further claimed that an officer, Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, was k!lled during the operation.
The officer was reportedly buried on the same day.
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