The Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has expressed optimism over the ongoing efforts to rescue the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, assuring that the military is making steady progress in the operation.

Speaking during an engagement with media executives in Port Harcourt as part of the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, Shaibu said the Nigerian Army had intensified its search-and-rescue mission and remained committed to securing the victims’ freedom.

According to him, troops are working around the clock, leveraging intelligence and coordinated operations to ensure the abducted pupils and teachers are rescued safely and reunited with their families.

The victims, 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that drew widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over the safety of schools.

Beyond the rescue mission, the Army Chief said the military had continued to make gains against insurgency, banditry and kidnapping across the country. He attributed the successes to improved operational strategies, the deployment of modern military equipment and increased manpower.

He disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the recruitment of 28,000 soldiers to strengthen the Army, adding that 14,000 of the recruits had already completed training and were deployed to support ongoing operations nationwide.

Shaibu reiterated the Nigerian Army’s resolve to protect lives and property, assuring Nigerians that every available resource was being deployed to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.