The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has provided a detailed account of the security operation that led to the rescue of pupils and teachers kidnapped in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, the IGP revealed that security agencies chose to keep operational details secret and delayed public updates in order to avoid collateral damage and safeguard the victims.
The abduction occurred in May 2026 when suspected terrorists attacked two schools in the area, taking dozens of pupils and teachers hostage. The attackers used the head teacher’s vehicle to escape with the victims before setting the vehicle ablaze at the entrance to the forest.
Disu noted that the remote location presented significant challenges: the area had no network coverage, very limited security presence, and only one access road leading to the affected villages. Despite these constraints, police officers, soldiers, and vigilantes immediately began tracking the kidnappers. One police officer was killed during the pursuit.
Security agencies deployed extensive resources, including helicopters from the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Air Force for aerial surveillance and search operations conducted around the clock.
The IGP explained that the decision to maintain strict secrecy — even among many security personnel — was deliberate. Several late-night meetings were held as officials weighed critical decisions, while deliberately limiting information flow to prevent compromising the hostages’ safety.
“Despite intense public pressure and comparisons with how other countries handle similar situations, we could not afford to make hasty moves that might endanger the children,” Disu said.
He acknowledged the public frustration over the lack of regular updates but stressed that revealing too much information at the time could have exposed the victims to greater risk.
After 56 days in captivity, the coordinated efforts by security agencies resulted in the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The IGP described the operation as a difficult but ultimately successful mission that required balancing public expectations with the primary duty of protecting innocent lives.
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