Retired Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Ngoshe, has said security operatives launched an offensive against the abductors of students and a teacher in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State only after the victims had been safely rescued.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Ngoshe said the operation was carefully planned to ensure the safety of the kidnapped schoolchildren and their teacher before security forces confronted the suspects.
According to him, security agencies exercised restraint while the victims remained in captivity to avoid putting their lives at greater risk.
“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,” Nggoshe said.
He explained that the abductors released the children believing the crisis had been resolved and that they had escaped the pressure from security agencies.
However, Ngoshe said security operatives proceeded with the operation once the victims were out of harm’s way, enabling them to engage the suspects without endangering the lives of the rescued children and their teacher.
