Security agencies have identified members of the gang behind the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, marking a major breakthrough in ongoing rescue efforts.
Sources said weeks of intelligence gathering by the Department of State Services (DSS) enabled operatives to trace the kidnappers’ network and locate several associates across the country. The development has reportedly unsettled the abductors, who are now under mounting pressure.
“Their confidence has been shaken, and they are showing greater willingness to release the children,” a source familiar with the operation said.
A joint team of DSS operatives and military personnel is said to be closing in on the kidnappers’ suspected hideout in a National Park forest, where the victims are believed to be held. Security forces had earlier blocked key escape routes and intensified surveillance in the area.
Thirty-nine pupils and seven teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on schools in Yawota and Esinle communities.
The kidnappers initially demanded ransom, vehicles, the release of detained commanders, and the enforcement of Sharia-related conditions. However, security sources indicate that recent operational gains are forcing them to reconsider their demands.
Speaking in Port Harcourt during activities marking the Nigerian Army Day Celebration, Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu expressed confidence in the mission.
“Operations are ongoing, and we are making tremendous progress,” he said.
Retired military officers say the breakthrough could accelerate the victims’ release by disrupting the group’s logistics and support network. However, they cautioned against revealing sensitive operational details, warning that it could jeopardize the mission.
They urged the public to allow security agencies the space to complete the operation, stressing that the priority remains the safe return of all abducted children and teachers.
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