IGP Disu Commends Team Over Oriire School Rescue

Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has paid tribute to Sgt. John Abena, the police officer killed during the joint security operation that rescued pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government, Oyo State, was commended by the operatives involved for the successful mission.

Speaking on Friday while receiving members of the rescue team, Disu said the officer lost his life while working alongside other security agencies to secure the release of the abducted schoolchildren.

The police chief said the team had carried out the assignment with courage and professionalism, noting that reports from the operation commander highlighted the significant role the officers played.

“We just finished prayer for the officer we lost in the Oyo State school abduction incident. You remember I called all of you here a few weeks back, when I advised you that you’d be joining other sister agencies on a very serious national assignment.

“I’m happy you guys went, and you did us proud. I got information from the commander of the operation the parts you played. I cannot thank you enough for your national service,” he said. 

He also disclosed that other personnel injured during the operation were recovering well and assured them of continued medical support, adding that the force would also cater for the family of the slain officer.

Disu explained that the police publicly acknowledge officers who die in the line of duty because they deserve to be honoured for the sacrifices they make in protecting lives.

He stressed that police personnel are human beings whose deaths affect their colleagues, adding that recognising fallen officers is standard practice in policing worldwide.

“Police officers first and foremost are human beings. Police officers have emotions. Police officers feel it when a colleague dies,” he said. 

The Inspector-General also praised the collaboration among the police, military and other security agencies, saying the fight against insecurity requires a united approach rather than rivalry among security institutions.

He urged Nigerians to support security agencies by providing timely information that could help prevent attacks, stressing that public cooperation remains vital in tackling crime.

One of the officers involved in the operation, Superintendent of Police Abdulrahman Mohammed, said the team approached the mission with the determination to rescue the victims as though they were their own children. He said the successful outcome reflected the operatives’ training and commitment, adding that they would return to their respective commands to continue their duties.

 “We didn’t look at them as victims. We look at them as our own children. Every step we took, we took those steps for the children. And this is what we are trained for. We are still going back to our various formations to continue our work,” he said. 

Gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026, abducting 49 pupils, teachers and a toddler, while a teacher was later killed in captivity.

A joint operation involving the Nigerian Army, Police, Navy, Air Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies rescued 44 victims on July 10 after more than a month of intelligence-led operations. Sgt. Abena was among the security personnel who lost their lives during the mission.