Counter-terrorism expert Dr. Seyi Adebayo has credited the swift response of Nigerian security agencies with preventing the abductors of the Oriire schoolchildren, teachers, and principal from relocating their captives to the Kainji Forest.
Speaking during an interview on TVC News on Friday, July 10, 2026, Adebayo said security operatives acted quickly after receiving intelligence on the kidnappers’ movements, preventing them from moving the hostages from the Oyo forest to what he described as their operational base in the Kainji Forest.
“They were still in the forest. There was this quick response from the Nigerian Defence Forces. They encircled them before they could move them from Oyo forest to Kainji forest, which is actually their base,” Adebayo said.
He stated that the operation demonstrated the importance of acting promptly on actionable intelligence during kidnapping incidents. According to Adebayo, surrounding the abductors while they remained in the Oyo forest disrupted their plans and contributed to the successful rescue.
The operation, involving the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Armed Forces, and other security agencies, secured the release of the abducted pupils, teachers, and principal, bringing relief to their families after days of uncertainty.
