Ex-DSS Chief Reveals How Security Forces Outwitted Terrorists After Oriire School Abduction
A retired senior official of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Ngoshe, has revealed that security forces deliberately delayed their offensive against terrorists who abducted pupils and a teacher in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State until the victims had been safely released.
Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, Ngoshe said the military and other security agencies made the safety of the kidnapped children their foremost priority, avoiding any action that could have endangered their lives while they remained in captivity.
According to him, the terrorists eventually released the pupils and their teacher, believing the move would end the security operation and ease the pressure from the authorities.
“Getting to the level where they are to be annihilated completely, they gave out the children thinking that will resolve the matter. After the children were successfully recovered, the forces engaged them,” Ngoshe said.
He explained that the abductors mistakenly assumed they would no longer be pursued after releasing the hostages. However, security operatives had intentionally exercised restraint until the children were out of harm’s way before launching operations against the fleeing terrorists.
Ngoshe noted that once the victims were safely recovered, security forces intensified their pursuit and engaged the terrorists in a bid to neutralise the criminal group.
The former DSS chief said the operation reflected a deliberate tactical approach designed to prioritise the lives of the abducted children before confronting the kidnappers.
His comments provide fresh insight into the security operation and have reignited public discussion over the handling of the Oriire school abduction. While many Nigerians have praised the strategy of safeguarding the children before taking military action, others continue to call for greater transparency on the full details of the rescue operation.
