Students and staff from Oyo school who were freed are now undergoing medical care, according to military officials

The 44 kidnapped pupils and teachers from Oyo State are currently undergoing medical treatment at a hospital whose location has not been disclosed, and they will soon be handed over to the Oyo State Government, according to the 2 Division, Nigerian Army.

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This development comes after the victims were rescued on Friday, and they are expected to be reunited with their families shortly, as stated by Lt-Col Danjuma Jonah, the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Division.

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The rescue operation was the result of meticulous planning and execution by troops of the Nigerian Army, led by Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, who worked closely with other security agencies.

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The operation was a collaborative effort between the Nigerian Army and special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), specifically the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), and the Defence Headquarters, with participation from the Nigerian Navy, Air Force, and Nigeria Police.

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Other participants in the operation included the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilantes, hunters, and Amotekuns, according to Lt-Col Danjuma Jonah.

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A total of 44 pupils and teachers who were kidnapped by terrorists from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15 were rescued without any harm, while there were some casualties on the part of the security forces, Jonah noted.

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The operation, which lasted over a month, focused on identifying and apprehending the terrorists' kingpins, dismantling their networks, and disrupting their logistics links, including informants and hideouts located within the Old Oyo National Park Forest, Oyo State.

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Multiple arrests were made during the operation, both within Oyo State and in other locations across the country, which ultimately led to the terrorist group releasing the pupils and teachers unconditionally, according to Jonah.

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The GOC 2 Division, Maj.-Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife, expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his guidance and support, as well as to Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, for their roles in making the operation a success.

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The GOC also appreciated the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, and the Chief of Army Staff, among other Service Chiefs, for their support and cooperation during the operation.

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Additionally, the GOC acknowledged the contributions of the Inspector General of Police and the Directors General of DSS and NIA, as well as the Heads of other Security Agencies, for their support and coordination during the operation.