Ex-DSS chief reveals how Oyo pupils won freedom from kidnappers

A former Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Ngoshe, has revealed how sustained military pressure and coordinated intelligence operations forced the kidnappers of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State to release their captives after weeks in captivity.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Ngoshe commended the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for what he described as a professionally executed rescue operation, urging Nigerians to recognise the sacrifices made by security personnel.

He dismissed suggestions that authorities had not been transparent about the operation, insisting that the successful rescue of the victims should remain the focus.

“After all, the thing has now become a matter of public interest, so it is not going to be swept under the carpet for whatever reason, but I think the time is not right for all these kinds of comments to be made on the operation,” he said.

“I think we should be eulogising the state services and other security services for doing what they have done and doing it very well.”

Explaining how the operation unfolded, Ngoshe said security operatives surrounded the kidnappers’ hideout, isolated the area and systematically dismantled the group’s logistics and intelligence network.

According to him, troops blocked access to food, weapons and other essential supplies while neutralising the informants who had been supporting the criminals.

“There was a congregation of security forces, and positions were taken after the location was isolated. And the whole community around that place was dominated,” Ngoshe explained.

“They were denied access to food. They were denied access to weapons. Their informants were taken out and used as assets.

“Videos of all these operations were ferried to them, and they saw that they had no option but to surrender.”

He noted that the kidnappers had initially sought a negotiated escape route but were denied any form of concession by security agencies.

“Now the problem, to them, was how to resolve the matter amicably.

“Amicably in the sense that they wanted a lifeline, and that lifeline did not come because the security forces did not accede to it,” he added.

Ngoshe disclosed that three security operatives lost their lives during the operation after stepping on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) while tightening the cordon around the kidnappers’ hideout.

“It was in the process of closing in on them after they were encircled that the three forces from the police, army and other security services that were lost through IED — they marched on IED and they were killed,” he said.

According to the former DSS chief, the kidnappers eventually realised they could no longer withstand the sustained military pressure and released the pupils and teachers before security forces intensified the final phase of the operation.

“So getting to the level where they were to be annihilated completely, they gave out the children thinking that that would resolve the matter. After the children were successfully rescued, the forces engaged them,” Ngoshe stated.

The rescue followed a coordinated operation by security agencies after the abduction of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that sparked nationwide concern and prompted an extensive search-and-rescue mission.