By Isiaka Mustapha, Abuja
A former Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Ngoshe, has shed light on the security operation that led to the release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, revealing that the kidnappers were compelled to free their captives after coming under intense pressure from security forces.
According to Ngoshe, the successful rescue was achieved through sustained pressure by security agencies, which reportedly surrounded the kidnappers’ hideout, disrupted their supply routes, neutralised their support network, and denied them access to critical resources.
Speaking on Channels Television programme, ‘The Morning Brief’ on Wednesday, the former intelligence chief commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, the DSS, the Police, and other security agencies involved in the operation, describing the rescue as a major achievement that deserved national recognition.
He urged Nigerians to focus on applauding the efforts of security personnel rather than criticising the manner in which details of the operation were communicated to the public.
Ngoshe argued that operational security often requires discretion, especially during sensitive rescue missions, adding that the successful release of the victims should remain the central focus of
public discourse.
Providing insight into the strategy adopted by security operatives,
Ngoshe explained that intelligence-led operations enabled security
forces to identify and isolate the kidnappers’ location before
tightening surveillance around the area.
He said troops and other security personnel effectively dominated the
surrounding communities, making it increasingly difficult for the
criminals to move freely or receive assistance from collaborators.
According to him, the kidnappers were cut off from food supplies,
denied access to weapons, and deprived of intelligence from their
informants, many of whom were identified and neutralised as part of
the operation.
“There was a massive deployment of security personnel, and strategic
positions were established after the location was isolated. The entire
area was brought under security control,” he explained.
“They were denied access to food and weapons. Their informants were
identified and turned into intelligence assets. As the pressure
mounted, they realised that their options were rapidly diminishing.”
Ngoshe further revealed that security forces used psychological and intelligence tactics to convince the kidnappers that escape was no longer possible, significantly weakening their resolve.
He noted that the kidnappers eventually began seeking a way out of the situation as the security cordon tightened around them.
“The challenge for them was how to find a way out. They were looking for a lifeline, but the security forces did not yield to any form of negotiation that would weaken the operation,” he said.
The former DSS chief also disclosed that the operation came at a heavy cost, as three security personnel lost their lives after stepping on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the criminals.
According to him, the officers, drawn from different security agencies, were killed while advancing on the kidnappers’ positions as part of efforts to complete the encirclement.
He described the fallen personnel as heroes who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty while working to secure the freedom of the abducted children and their teachers.
Ngoshe stated that as security forces closed in and the possibility of total defeat became imminent, the kidnappers decided to release the captives in a desperate attempt to ease the pressure being exerted on them.
“By the time the operation reached a stage where they were facing complete annihilation, they released the children, believing that doing so would change the situation. Once the children were safely
recovered, security forces continued their engagement with the criminals,” he said.
The rescue operation brought an end to a prolonged period of anxiety for families and residents following the abduction of the pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that sparked widespread concern across Oyo State and prompted a large-scale security response.
The operation has been widely regarded as a demonstration of the effectiveness of coordinated intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and sustained military pressure in tackling kidnapping
and other violent crimes across the country.
