The Nigerian Army says it has made significant progress in ongoing efforts to rescue the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, disclosed this on Saturday during an interactive session with media executives in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15 in one of the most serious abduction incidents recorded in the South-West this year.
According to the army chief, troops are intensifying operations aimed at securing the safe release of the victims and reuniting them with their families.
“Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children abducted in Oyo State, and we are making tremendous progress,” Shaibu said.
He expressed confidence that the military operation would achieve its objective, assuring Nigerians that the armed forces remain committed to protecting lives and responding swiftly to security threats across the country.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army has sustained operations across the six geopolitical zones, recording gains against terrorism, banditry, oil theft and other criminal activities.
Highlighting developments in the North-East, the COAS said troops under Operation Hadin Kai had dealt major blows to insurgent groups, including the elimination of a high-profile Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in a joint effort involving United States partners.
He disclosed that the operation had neutralised more than 1,872 insurgents, while many other terrorists had voluntarily surrendered to troops.
According to him, the improved security situation has enabled displaced residents to begin returning to their communities, pointing to the recent closure of the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama, Borno State, as evidence of the progress made.
In the North-West, Shaibu said Operation Fansan Yamma has continued to weaken armed bandit groups through sustained military offensives, resulting in the recovery of weapons and the elimination of several criminal elements.
He also listed Operations Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke and the newly created Operation Savannah Shield as key interventions that have strengthened security across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and parts of Kogi states in the North-Central region.
Speaking on the South-East, the army chief said security had improved considerably, noting that there were no major disruptions during the last Christmas celebrations.
He added that military operations in the South-South had contributed to increased crude oil production by curbing illegal bunkering, pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.
Describing the South-West as one of the country’s most peaceful regions, Shaibu said the recent mass abduction in Oyo State remained an isolated but serious incident requiring sustained military attention.
The COAS also announced fresh measures approved by the Federal Government to strengthen the army’s manpower and operational capacity.
He said President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, increasing the number of army depots to three.
According to him, the depots in Zaria, Kaduna State; Osogbo, Osun State; and Amasiri-Edda are expected to recruit and train a combined 28,000 young Nigerians.
“I recently directed the recruitment of 28,000 young Nigerians to enhance manpower for our various operations across the country.
“So far, the Zaria depot has graduated 6,000 soldiers, Osogbo has graduated 5,000, while Amasiri-Edda will soon graduate 3,000, bringing the total to 14,000,” he said.
Shaibu further revealed that the Nigerian Army had reviewed its training curriculum to place greater emphasis on marksmanship, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
He explained that recruits now undergo about 11 months of intensive military training, including advanced infantry drills and acclimatisation exercises.
To enhance operational effectiveness, the army has also acquired additional armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles, while personnel are receiving specialised training both within and outside Nigeria to operate the advanced equipment.
“The acquisition of armed and surveillance drones, alongside enhanced aviation capabilities, has improved response times and operational success across theatres of operation,” he said.
Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending the country’s territorial integrity and addressing emerging security challenges nationwide.
