A former Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Ngoshe, has disclosed how Nigerian security agencies mounted sustained pressure that led to the release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Speaking during Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Ngoshe said the success of the Oyo kidnapping rescue operation was achieved through a carefully coordinated security strategy that isolated the kidnappers, disrupted their supply network and left them with little option but to release their captives.
Security Agencies Deserve Recognition, Says Ngoshe
The retired intelligence officer urged Nigerians to commend the efforts of the military, police and other security agencies involved in the operation instead of questioning how it was conducted.
According to him, the rescue mission should be seen as a major achievement, considering the complexity of kidnapping operations and the need to protect the lives of the victims.
He argued that operational details are often withheld while missions are ongoing for security reasons and should not overshadow the successful outcome.
How Security Forces Pressured the Kidnappers
Ngoshe explained that security operatives identified and isolated the kidnappers’ hideout before deploying personnel to strategically surround the area.
He said the operation involved cutting off the criminals’ access to food supplies, weapons and communication channels while dismantling their network of informants.
According to him, intelligence gathered during the operation was used to tighten the security cordon around the suspects, leaving them increasingly isolated.
The former DSS official added that information and visual evidence of the security deployment were relayed to the kidnappers, convincing them that escape had become nearly impossible.
As pressure mounted, the abductors reportedly began searching for a way to end the standoff but failed to secure the concessions they wanted from security authorities.
Three Security Personnel Killed During Operation
Ngoshe disclosed that the rescue mission came at a heavy cost, revealing that three security personnel lost their lives while advancing towards the kidnappers’ location.
He said the officers were killed after stepping on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted around the area during the final phase of the operation.
Despite the casualties, security forces continued the mission until the abductors released the children and teachers.
Victims Released as Security Net Tightened
According to Ngoshe, the kidnappers eventually realised they could no longer withstand the sustained security pressure.
He said the captors released the victims in what appeared to be an attempt to ease the military offensive before security forces continued operations against the criminal group.
The successful rescue brought relief to families and residents after days of anxiety over the fate of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Coordinated Response to Oyo Kidnapping
The abduction in Oriire Local Government Area triggered widespread concern across Oyo State and prompted a joint response involving multiple security agencies.
Authorities have continued efforts to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country, with security agencies intensifying intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks responsible for such attacks.