A former operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), Seyi Adetayo, has explained how security agencies secured the freedom of abducted pupils and teachers from Oyo State after 56 days in captivity without paying ransom or exchanging prisoners. He shared details of the operation during an interview on TVC News on Friday, saying intelligence gathering was the key factor behind the successful rescue.
According to Adetayo, security operatives first traced the kidnappers’ network through intelligence. During the operation, they identified the abductors’ mothers, wives, children and other close associates. The relatives were taken into custody, while videos of them were recorded and sent to the kidnappers as part of the strategy used to pressure the criminal group.
He explained that security agencies also disrupted the kidnappers’ supply routes and escape channels while carrying out negotiations alongside other tactical operations. The combination of these measures, he said, eventually forced the abductors to release the victims without receiving any ransom or securing the release of detained members of their group.
His account came after the Presidency confirmed that all the abducted pupils and teachers had regained their freedom through a coordinated operation carried out by security agencies.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, earlier disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested during the operation, while several others were killed.
He also stated that the rescue mission was completed without granting any of the kidnappers’ demands, including their request for the release of one of their detained leaders, who remains on trial.
Following their release, the rescued pupils and teachers expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for their efforts. In a video released by the Presidency, one of the victims thanked the President for supporting the rescue mission and ensuring they returned home safely.
President Tinubu also welcomed the successful operation and praised the security agencies for carrying out the rescue and returning all the victims alive after nearly two months in captivity.