Former Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Ngoshe, says four suspected terrorists critically injured during the rescue operation that freed abducted schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State later died in hospital, while other suspects are being prepared for prosecution.
Speaking on Channels Television, Ngoshe said security agencies initially arrested individuals linked to the kidnappers, including suspected collaborators and family members, before intensifying pressure on the group.
According to him, the kidnappers later contacted security agencies in an attempt to negotiate, but their demands were rejected. He said the suspects ultimately refrained from harming the abducted children because they feared those already in custody could also face serious consequences.
Ngoshe explained that security forces surrounded the kidnappers’ hideout in the Oyo Forest, cutting off access to food, weapons, and informants while taking control of surrounding communities.
He said the operation reached a critical stage when the suspects became trapped with no escape route.
According to Ngoshe, security personnel from the military, police, and other agencies came under attack during the final phase of the operation, and three officers were killed after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED).
He added that the kidnappers eventually released the schoolchildren before security forces engaged them.
“The four of them that were critically injured died in hospital, while the other ones are being processed to be prosecuted,” Ngoshe said.
He noted that while some suspects were killed during the operation, those who survived, including individuals with minor injuries, are undergoing legal processing for prosecution.
