The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has expressed optimism that the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted in Oyo State will soon regain their freedom, saying troops are making significant progress in ongoing rescue operations.
Shaibu gave the assurance on Saturday during an interactive session with media executives in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15 from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that sparked widespread concern and renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect schools across the country.
Providing an update on the military’s efforts, the army chief said security forces were actively pursuing the abductors and had made substantial progress in the operation.
“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 ongoing operation would culminate in the safe rescue of the pupils and teachers, allowing them to reunite with their families.
Beyond the Oyo operation, Shaibu said the Nigerian Army remained fully engaged in addressing security threats across the country’s six geopolitical zones through sustained military operations.
He noted that troops deployed under Operation Hadin Kai in the North-East had continued to record significant gains against insurgents and terrorist groups, reaffirming the military’s commitment to restoring peace and security nationwide.
The army chief also assured Nigerians that the military would sustain its ongoing operations until criminal elements threatening the country’s peace and stability are brought to justice.
