How soldier forced Oyo kidnappers to free pupils - Ex-DSS chief

Security forces in Nigeria successfully pressured kidnappers into releasing abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State by strategically surrounding their hideout and severing their supply lines, according to a former Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Ngoshe.

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After all, the thing has now become a matter of public interest, so it is not going to be swept under the carpet for whatever reason, but I think the time is not right for all these kinds of comments to be made on the operation. I think we should be eulogising the state services and other security services for doing what they have done and doing it very well.

Ngoshe lauded the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for their role in the rescue operation, emphasizing that their efforts should be acknowledged. He dismissed criticisms regarding the government's transparency during the operation, stating that the immediate priority should be commending the forces for securing the victims' freedom. "I think we should be eulogising the state services and other security services for doing what they have done and doing it very well," Ngoshe told Channels Television.

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Now the problem, to them (the terrorists), was how to resolve the matter amicably. Amicably in the sense that they wanted a lifeline, and that lifeline did not come because the security forces did not accede to it.

Detailing the operation, Ngoshe explained that security personnel isolated the terrorists' location, blocked their access to essential supplies, and disrupted their network of informants. This pressure, he noted, left the kidnappers seeking an "amicable" resolution, which was not facilitated by the security forces. The operation involved surrounding the area, dominating the surrounding community, and denying the criminals access to food and weapons. Videos of the security forces' actions were reportedly shown to the kidnappers, demonstrating their lack of options.

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There was a congregation of security forces, and positions were taken after the location was isolated. And the whole community around that place was dominated. They (terrorists) were denied access to food. They were denied access to weapons. Their informants were taken out and used as assets. Videos of all these operations were ferried to them, and they saw that they had no option but to surrender.

Tragically, three security personnel lost their lives during the operation after stepping on improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as troops advanced on the kidnappers' position. Ngoshe stated that the kidnappers eventually released the children when they realized they could no longer withstand the mounting security pressure, leading to their eventual capture or surrender.

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It was in the process of closing in on them after they were encircled that the three forces from the police, army, and other security services that were lost through IED, they marched on IED and they were killed.