The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, has announced that Nigerian troops are making significant progress in ongoing efforts to rescue the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State.
Shaibu disclosed this on Saturday during an interactive session with media executives in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15 from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children abducted in Oyo State, and we are making tremendous progress,” the army chief said.
He expressed optimism that the ongoing operation would lead to the safe rescue of the victims and their reunion with their families.
Beyond the Oyo rescue mission, Shaibu said the Nigerian Army had continued to record major successes in security operations across the country’s six geopolitical zones.
In the North-East, he said troops under Operation Hadin Kai had intensified the fight against insurgency, leading to the elimination of a high-profile Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in collaboration with United States partners.
According to him, the operation has neutralised more than 1,872 insurgents, while many others have surrendered to the military.
He added that improved security had 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, as a major milestone.
In the North-West, Shaibu said Operation Fansan Yamma had continued to weaken bandit groups through the elimination of criminal elements and the recovery of weapons.
He also highlighted the achievements of Operations Enduring Peace, Whirl Stroke and the newly established Operation Savannah Shield in the North-Central region, noting that the operations had strengthened security across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and parts of Kogi states.
Speaking on the South-East, the COAS said the security situation had improved significantly, pointing out that there were no reported disruptions during the last Christmas celebrations.
In the South-South, he attributed improved crude oil production to sustained military operations against illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Shaibu described the South-West as one of the country’s most peaceful regions, except for the recent abduction incident in Oyo State.
The army chief also announced that the Federal Government had approved measures to strengthen the military’s manpower and operational capacity.
He revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, bringing the number of army depots nationwide to three.
According to him, the depots in Zaria, Kaduna State; Osogbo, Osun State; and Amasiri-Edda will collectively recruit and train 28,000 young Nigerians.
“I recently directed the recruitment of 28,000 young Nigerians to enhance manpower for our various operations across the country.
“So far, the Zaria depot has graduated 6,000 soldiers, Osogbo has graduated 5,000, while Amasiri-Edda will soon graduate 3,000, bringing the total to 14,000,” he said.
Shaibu further disclosed that the Nigerian Army had reviewed its training curriculum to place greater emphasis on marksmanship, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
He said recruits now undergo approximately 11 months of intensive military training, including advanced infantry and acclimatisation exercises.
The COAS also said the army had acquired armoured personnel carriers, mine-resistant vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles to improve operational effectiveness.
He added that personnel had been deployed for specialised training both within and outside Nigeria to enhance their ability to operate modern military equipment.
“The acquisition of armed and surveillance drones, alongside enhanced aviation capabilities, has improved response times and operational success across theatres of operation,” Shaibu said.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting the country and responding decisively to emerging security threats.
NAN