Army Chief Says Troops Closing in on Kidnappers of Abducted Oyo Pupils

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says the military is making progress in efforts to rescue the 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State, assuring Nigerians that troops are closing in on the kidnappers.

Speaking on Saturday, Shaibu said the rescue mission was still active and urged the public to remain patient as security forces worked to bring the victims home safely.

The children and teachers were kidnapped during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area in May.

One teacher was later killed in captivity, while security personnel were wounded during an earlier rescue attempt.

According to the army chief, "the operation is ongoing," adding that troops have made "tremendous progress" and are "closing in on the kidnappers."

He said the military remains committed to rescuing all the victims alive and returning them safely to their families.

Shaibu also appealed to Nigerians not to lose hope, saying security agencies were carefully coordinating the operation to avoid putting the captives at greater risk.

He stressed that the army would not relent until the victims were freed.

The latest update comes weeks after Seyi Makinde disclosed that intelligence reports indicated the abducted pupils and teachers were being held within the Old Oyo National Park.

He said the vast terrain of the park had made rescue efforts more difficult but assured families that security agencies were pursuing "every credible lead" and taking "every lawful action available" to secure the victims' release.

The abduction is one of several school kidnapping cases recorded in Nigeria in recent months, highlighting the country's continuing security challenges and the risks faced by students and teachers in some communities.