The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has assured Nigerians that troops are making significant progress in efforts to rescue the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, and the Army Chief expressed confidence that the ongoing operation would secure their safe release and reunite them with their families.
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.
“Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children abducted in Oyo State, and we are making tremendous progress,” he said.
The COAS noted that the Nigerian Army remains actively engaged in security operations across the country’s six geopolitical zones to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, oil theft and other emerging security threats.
Highlighting achievements in the North-East, Shaibu said troops under Operation Hadin Kai had recorded major successes against insurgents, including the elimination of a high-profile Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in collaboration with United States partners. He disclosed that the operation had neutralised over 1,872 insurgents, while many others had surrendered.
According to him, improved security has enabled thousands of displaced persons to return to their communities, citing the recent closure of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Bama, Borno State.
In the North-West, the Army Chief said Operation Fansan Yamma had continued to weaken bandit groups through sustained offensives and the recovery of arms and ammunition.
He also said Operations Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke and the newly established Operation Savannah Shield had strengthened security across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and parts of Kogi State.
Speaking on the South-East, Shaibu said the security situation had improved considerably, noting that there were no major security disruptions during the last Christmas celebrations.
He added that operations against illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the South-South had contributed to increased oil production, while describing the South-West as one of the country’s most peaceful regions apart from the recent abduction incident in Oyo State.
On military expansion, the COAS announced that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, increasing the number of army depots to three.
He said the depots in Zaria, Osogbo and Amasiri-Edda are expected to recruit and train about 28,000 young Nigerians to strengthen the Army’s manpower.
Shaibu disclosed that 6,000 soldiers had already graduated from the Zaria depot, 5,000 from Osogbo, while Amasiri-Edda would soon graduate 3,000 recruits, bringing the total number trained so far to 14,000.
The Army Chief further revealed that the military had reviewed its training curriculum to place greater emphasis on marksmanship, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations, with recruits now undergoing about 11 months of intensive training.
He also said the Army had acquired armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), while personnel continue to receive specialised training both within and outside Nigeria to effectively operate modern military equipment.
Shaibu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting the nation, enhancing operational effectiveness and responding decisively to emerging security challenges across the country.
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