Federal Government agents have launched a massive operation to rescue dozens of schoolchildren and teachers abducted by terrorists in Oyo and Borno states. The operation, announced by Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, involves deploying a specialised rescue team and recruiting 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security across vulnerable communities. According to the minister, the government has mobilised all security and intelligence agencies to secure the freedom of the abducted children and teachers and bring the perpetrators to justice. The operation comes after the Oyo and Borno governments reported a surge in terrorist attacks on schools in their states. President Tinubu has directed that all lawful instruments available to the Nigerian state be deployed towards this objective.

The minister revealed that a specialised rescue team had been activated, with additional security personnel to be deployed through the recruitment of forest guards. Intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, community engagement, and coordinated search-and-rescue operations are ongoing in both Oyo and Borno states. The minister disclosed that approximately 1,000 terrorists, including several top leaders, had been eliminated in the first quarter of 2026 alone. He also revealed that a joint Nigeria-United States-supported operation conducted in May had disrupted terrorist logistics networks and eliminated key Islamic State – West Africa Province, ISWAP, commanders, while 92 civilians were rescued from captivity near Buratai. The minister also reported intensified military pressure on bandits and kidnapping syndicates operating across Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger, Kogi, and Kwara states, leading to the destruction of criminal camps and the arrest of numerous suspects.

Minister Idris highlighted the achievements recorded since the Tinubu administration came into office in May 2023. He said hundreds of terrorists, bandits, and criminal elements had been neutralised, arrested, or compelled to surrender. He cited recent military victories in the North-East, where troops of Operation Hadin Kai repelled multiple terrorist incursions along the Kirawa-Pulka and Ngoshe corridors in Borno State, killing over 50 insurgents, including key commanders. The minister also disclosed that numerous kidnap victims had been rescued nationwide.

The minister pointed to significant gains in terrorism prosecutions. He announced that the Federal High Court in Abuja had just sentenced four terrorists to death for their roles in the 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State. He also revealed that Nigeria is currently undertaking one of the largest terrorism prosecution exercises in its history, with over 500 terrorism suspects facing trial. According to him, 508 terrorism-related cases have already been prosecuted, resulting in 386 convictions.

The minister described this as a landmark victory in the country's counter-terrorism campaign.

President Tinubu has directed that no child belongs in captivity. The President has assured distraught families that the safe return of every abducted child and teacher remains the top priority of the Federal Government.

The minister said the government was strengthening international security partnerships, particularly with the United States, in areas such as intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism operations, military training, border security, and cybersecurity. He praised the cooperation between the Federal Government and state governments, citing close collaboration in the fight against terrorism. According to the minister, the administration's security strategy is an intelligence-driven approach backed by a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria's security architecture, including plans to institutionalise state policing.

Key Facts

  • 1,000 forest guards will be recruited to strengthen security across vulnerable communities.
  • 1,000 terrorists, including several top leaders, have been eliminated in the first quarter of 2026 alone.
  • 92 civilians were rescued from captivity near Buratai in May.
  • 508 terrorism-related cases have been prosecuted, resulting in 386 convictions.
  • Hundreds of terrorists, bandits, and criminal elements have been neutralised, arrested, or compelled to surrender since the Tinubu administration came into office in May 2023.