By Our Correspondent
National News – The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Chinedu Nnebeife, has revealed that aerial surveillance by the Nigerian Air Force and drone teams was ineffective during the operation to rescue 44 abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State because of the dense forest canopy in the Old Oyo National Park.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, Nnebeife said the thick vegetation prevented aircraft and drones from detecting the kidnappers’ location, forcing security forces to launch a dangerous ground operation that resulted in the death of an officer and a soldier.
The victims, who had spent 56 days in captivity after being abducted from three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, were eventually rescued on July 10.
According to the Army commander, the forest’s dense canopy made aerial intelligence nearly impossible.
“The Nigerian Air Force conducted surveillance flights and drone teams were also deployed, but the thick forest prevented visibility. In some areas, even sunlight barely reaches the ground, making it impossible to detect anything from the air,” he said.
He explained that the challenge left security forces with no option but to conduct an extensive ground operation deep inside the forest.
“It was during one of those operations that we lost an officer and a soldier. Some other personnel were also injured, including one soldier who sustained a serious gunshot wound that left him with a broken arm,” Nnebeife added.
Following the setback, the GOC said he assumed direct command of the operation, taking over from the garrison commander and coordinating troops and intelligence assets drawn from different parts of the country.
He said the operation involved personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter-Terrorism Unit, Defence Headquarters Special Forces, the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Additional support came from the Nigerian Police, DSS operatives in Oyo State, the Air Force Tactical Operations Group from Kainji, and troops of Operation Savannah Shield stationed in Gwara, who secured the northern axis of the state.
Nnebeife disclosed that an earlier attempt to locate the victims with the assistance of local hunters and vigilantes was unsuccessful, noting that some hunters lost their lives during the operation.
He said sustained military pressure eventually forced the kidnappers to release the captives after security forces blocked their major supply route through Ashamu town.
“By the grace of God, on July 10, we successfully rescued all 44 victims,” he said.
The Army commander stressed that the Federal Government did not negotiate with the kidnappers despite the death of two teachers in captivity and demands by the terrorists for the release of a detained Boko Haram commander.
“We have always maintained that we will never yield to terrorists’ demands, and we never will,” he stated.
He added that although the captives had been rescued, the military would continue operations to eliminate the remaining terrorists operating in the area.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation and handed over to the DSS, while several others were neutralised.
The Army also confirmed that Lieutenant Felix Isaac, a 28-year-old officer who led troops during the rescue mission, was killed on July 10. He was buried with full military honours at the 23rd Armoured Brigade Cemetery in Yola, Adamawa State, on the same day the rescued victims were reunited with their families.
