Meet the Army General Behind the Daring Oyo Rescue Mission

The Nigerian Army has identified the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife, as the commander who led the successful operation that rescued pupils and teachers abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.

In a statement issued on Friday, July 10, 2026, by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma, the Army said the operation was carried out by Nigerian Army troops in collaboration with operatives from other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.
The statement explained that the intelligence-led operation, which was carefully planned and executed on July 10, 2026, was led by Major General C.R. Nnebeife. It added that the operation involved special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), particularly the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters, Special Forces from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun. The joint effort successfully rescued 44 pupils and teachers who were kidnapped from Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
Checks by News Express indicate that this is not the first successful rescue operation led by Major General Nnebeife. Reports show that under his leadership, the 2 Division carried out several successful operations within its area of responsibility, including the rescue of kidnap victims in Kwara State in October 2025.
Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife is the 47th General Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Army 2 Division and the Force Commander of Sector 3, Operation FANSAN YAMMA. A native of Anambra State, he was appointed to the position in August 2025 after serving in several command and staff appointments across Nigeria in both operational and administrative capacities.
He officially assumed command of the 2 Division at the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan, on August 19, 2025.
The senior military officer is widely regarded as a strong advocate of troop welfare, promoting initiatives such as the Nigerian Army Personnel Insurance Scheme to support personnel and their families. During his tenure, he has also presided over the decoration of newly promoted officers, consistently urging them to uphold the military’s core values of selfless service, integrity and discipline.