Fallen Hero Laid to Rest After Successful Oyo Rescue

The Nigerian Army has buried Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac, who lost his life during the rescue operation that secured the freedom of kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oyo State.

According to reports, the brave officer was laid to rest at the 23 Armoured Brigade Cemetery in Yola, Adamawa State, on July 10, 2026—the same day the abducted victims regained their freedom.
It was gathered that Lieutenant Isaac’s convoy was struck by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by terrorists during the operation. The explosion claimed the lives of the officer and several other security personnel.
The Nigerian Army disclosed on Friday that the country lost some security operatives during the month-long, well-coordinated operation that led to the rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. While confirming that the mission successfully secured the victims’ release, the Army did not state the number of casualties or identify the agencies of the fallen personnel.
In a statement, the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the victims, who were abducted on May 15, 2026, regained their freedom on July 10 following an intelligence-led operation targeting the group responsible for the kidnapping.
The operation was led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife. It involved personnel from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun operatives.
The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when terrorists kidnapped a school principal, teachers and a large number of students from a secondary school in Ahoro, Esinele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Three days later, on May 18, 2026, the kidnappers beheaded one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, an incident that sparked outrage across the country.