Retired Colonel Leo Abara has questioned the official account of the security operation that rescued abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying the information released publicly has left room for speculation.
According to an AIT News report, Abara noted there was no publicly available evidence of a gun battle between security operatives and the kidnappers or of the bodies of suspects reportedly neutralised during the operation.
“We didn’t see any dead kidnapper, there was no confrontation; maybe ransom was paid,” he said, while stressing that he was not making a definitive claim but highlighting questions being asked by members of the public.
Abara said the lack of detailed information about how the rescue was carried out has fueled speculation and called on the authorities to provide a fuller account of the operation where possible. He argued that greater transparency would strengthen public confidence in security institutions while helping to counter misinformation.
His comments come as security agencies maintain that the victims were rescued through a coordinated operation involving multiple agencies, resulting in the arrest of several suspects and the neutralisation of others.
