The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has assured Nigerians that military troops are making significant progress in efforts to rescue the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State.
Shaibu gave the assurance 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, 2026, from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, sparking widespread concern over the safety of students and educational institutions in the region.
Providing an update on the rescue mission, the Army Chief expressed optimism that ongoing operations would soon secure the victims’ freedom.
“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 would safely reunite the abducted pupils and teachers with their families.
Army Records Gains Across Security Operations
Beyond the Oyo rescue operation, Shaibu highlighted the Nigerian Army’s achievements in combating insecurity across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
According to him, troops deployed under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East have continued to record major victories against insurgents and terrorist groups.
He disclosed that the operation recently eliminated a high-profile commander of the Islamic State terrorist group, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, during a joint operation carried out with support from United States partners.
Shaibu revealed that troops under Operation Hadin Kai had neutralised more than 1,872 insurgents, while several terrorists had voluntarily surrendered.
He added that the improved security situation in the North-East had enabled thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to their communities, citing the recent closure of the Bama Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Borno State as a major milestone.
Operations Intensified Against Bandits and Criminals
The Army Chief also highlighted successes recorded in the North-West under Operation Fansan Yamma, noting that troops had continued to dismantle bandit networks through sustained offensives.
He said numerous criminal elements had been neutralised, while large caches of weapons and ammunition had been recovered during recent operations.
In the North-Central region, Shaibu said military operations under Enduring Freedom, Whirlwind and the newly established Operation Savannah Shield had significantly strengthened security in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and parts of Kogi states.
Improved Security in South-East, South-South and South-West
Speaking on the security situation in the South-East, the COAS said conditions had improved considerably.
He noted that there were no significant security disruptions during the last Christmas celebrations, describing it as evidence of the effectiveness of ongoing military operations in the region.
In the South-South, Shaibu said the Army’s sustained crackdown on illegal oil bunkering, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism had contributed to increased national crude oil production.
According to him, the improvement in oil output reflects the success of military operations aimed at protecting critical national assets.
He further described the South-West as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful regions, except for the recent kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
Tinubu Approves New Army Depot, Expanded Recruitment
Shaibu disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had approved measures aimed at strengthening the Nigerian Army’s manpower to meet emerging security challenges.
Among the approvals, he said, was the establishment of a new Nigerian Army Depot at Amasiri-Edda in Ebonyi State, bringing the total number of army depots nationwide to three.
The existing depots are located in Zaria, Kaduna State, and Osogbo, Osun State.
According to the COAS, the three depots are expected to recruit and train about 28,000 young Nigerians.
He explained that the recruitment drive was designed to boost the Army’s operational capacity across various theatres of operation.
“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 number of newly trained personnel to 14,000,” he said.
Army Upgrades Training and Equipment
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army had also reviewed its training curriculum to better prepare recruits for modern warfare.
The revised programme places greater emphasis on marksmanship, counter-insurgency operations and counter-terrorism tactics.
He noted that recruits now undergo approximately 11 months of intensive military training, including advanced infantry exercises and acclimatisation programmes.
To enhance operational effectiveness, the Army has acquired additional armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The COAS added that military personnel are also receiving specialised training within Nigeria and overseas to ensure they can effectively operate modern combat equipment.
According to him, the deployment of armed and surveillance drones, alongside improved aviation capabilities, has significantly enhanced the Army’s response time and operational success across various theatres of operation.
Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to defending the nation’s territorial integrity and responding decisively to evolving security threats while assuring Nigerians that efforts to rescue the abducted Oyo pupils and teachers remain a top operational priority.
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