Army Confirms Lieutenant Died During Rescue of 44 Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

The Nigerian military has confirmed the death of an Army officer, Lieutenant F.A. Isaac, during the joint security operation that rescued 44 abducted pupils and teachers from captivity in Oyo State.

Military sources said the officer was killed in the line of duty during the operation that secured the victims release from the Old Oyo National Park after 56 days in captivity.

According to the sources, Lieutenant Isaac sustained fatal injuries while participating in the coordinated rescue mission and was buried on the same day.

His death confirms earlier remarks by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who disclosed shortly after the rescue that security forces suffered casualties during the operation without providing further details.

Sources familiar with the mission said Lieutenant Isaac was among the officers leading the assault on the kidnappers hideouts when he was fatally wounded.

The successful operation, carried out on July 10, involved a joint security team comprising personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun operatives.

The operation culminated in the rescue of all 44 abducted pupils and teachers who were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, while travelling through Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Military authorities have disclosed that the intelligence-driven operation also led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, while several other members of the criminal group were neutralised during the offensive.

The rescued victims are currently receiving medical attention and psychosocial support before being reunited with their families.

The operation has been widely hailed as one of the most significant counter-kidnapping successes recorded in the country this year, although the death of Lieutenant Isaac has underscored the heavy sacrifices made by security personnel in the fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.