The Nigerian Army has revealed that the successful operation to rescue pupils and teachers abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State – after 56 days in captivity – was led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Chinedu Nnebeife.

According to a statement issued yesterday, Friday, July 10, 2026, by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, the operation involved troops of the Nigerian Army who worked alongside operatives of other security agencies, the Amotekun Corps, local vigilantes and hunters.

“Following an intelligence-led, carefully planned and executed operation on 10 July, 2026, troops of the Nigerian Army, led by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General C.R. Nnebeife, in collaboration with special units from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), specifically the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Defence Headquarters with Special Forces elements from the Nigerian Army, Navy, the Air Force and the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies, as well as local vigilantes, hunters and Amotekun, in a well-coordinated operation rescued a total of 44 pupils and teachers kidnapped by terrorists from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on 15 May 2026,” the statement read in part.

Checks by News Express showed that this is not the first time Maj. Gen. Nnebeife led a successful operation to release mass kidnap victims.

According to one report, “Under his leadership, the division has actively engaged in multiple operations across its area of responsibility, including the successful rescue of kidnap victims in Kwara State in October 2025.”

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife is the 47th General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army 2 Division and Force Commander, Sector 3 of Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

A native of Anambra State, he was appointed to his current GOC position in August 2025. He is a distinguished military officer who previously held various command and staff appointments across the country, serving in both operational and administrative capacities.

Maj. Gen. Nnebeife assumed command at the Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment in Ibadan on August 19, 2025 Nigerian Army.

Maj. Gen. Nnebeife is described as someone “highly focused on troop welfare, frequently championing initiatives such as the Nigerian Army Personnel Insurance Scheme to support personnel and their families Nigerian Army on Instagram.”

“During his command tenure,” said one report, “he has actively decorated newly promoted officers, consistently charging them to adhere to core military values like selfless service, integrity, and discipline Nigerian Army on Instagram.”