The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has assured that troops are making significant progress in efforts to rescue the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted in Oyo State.
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.
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 confidence that the ongoing operation would secure the safe release of the victims and reunite them with their families.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army remained actively engaged in operations across the country’s six geopolitical zones to tackle evolving security threats.
Speaking on the North-East, he said troops under Operation Hadin Kai had recorded major successes against insurgents and terrorists, including the recent elimination of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, in collaboration with United States partners.
According to him, Operation Hadin Kai has neutralised more than 1,872 insurgents, while many others have surrendered to troops.
He added that improved security in the region had enabled displaced persons to return to their communities, citing the recent closure of the Internally Displaced Persons camp in Bama, Borno State.
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 achievements in the North-Central through Operations Enduring Freedom, Whirlwind and the newly established Operation Savannah Shield, noting that the operations had strengthened security across Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kwara, Niger and parts of Kogi states.
On the South-East, the army chief said the security situation had improved considerably, stressing that there were no reported security disruptions during the last Christmas celebrations.
He added that operations in the South-South had contributed to increased oil production by curbing illegal bunkering, crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism.
Describing the South-West as one of the country’s most peaceful regions, Shaibu noted that the recent abduction in Oyo State was an isolated incident.
The army chief also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved measures to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s manpower to address emerging security challenges.
According to him, President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Nigerian Army Depot in Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, bringing the total number of army depots to three.
He said the depots in Zaria, Kaduna State; Osogbo, Osun State; and Amasiri-Edda, Ebonyi State, are expected to recruit and train 28,000 young Nigerians.
“I recently directed the recruitment of 28,000 young Nigerians to enhance the workforce 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 added that the Nigerian Army had reviewed its training curriculum to place greater emphasis on marksmanship, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
