Nigeria Army Operation Yields 44 School Victims Freed, Captors Arrested

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:11:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Nigerian army frees 44 kidnapped pupils and teachers after a month‑long raid, capturing kidnappers and mourning soldiers lost in operation.

In Oyo state a Nigerian army‑led raid liberated over 40 children and educators held since May from three schools. The operation cost several soldiers and ended a two‑month ordeal. Victims are now receiving hospital care while families await reunions. The raid has drawn criticism over rising school abductions just before national elections.

Nigeria army operation frees 44 school victims after months of captivity

Women protest in Oyo state over abducted pupils

Nigeria’s military says it has freed all 44 pupils and teachers who were abducted two months ago from schools in Oyo state, and arrested the kidnappers.

The raid, involving soldiers, police, intelligence agencies and local vigilantes, ended with the loss of several military personnel. Victims are receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital and will return home when medically cleared.

The abduction began on 15 May when gunmen seized teachers and pupils from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, LA Primary School and Community Grammar School. These incidents form part of a surge in school‑kidnapping that has rattled communities ahead of next year’s elections.

"It was a harrowing experience, but we thank God that it ended well," said Prof. Wole Alamu, whose wife is the head‑teacher at Community Grammar School.

Hassan Ajibola, head of the Oyo State Teachers’ Union, praised the operation but urged full implementation of the Safe School Initiative, calling for CCTV, security patrols, fencing and local security groups at schools.

The operation also dismantled hideouts in the Old Oyo National Park forest and other difficult‑to‑access areas that armed groups use as safehouses.