By Peace Udugba
Counter-terrorism expert, Dr. Seyi Adebayo, has disclosed what he described as the intelligence strategy employed by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies during the operation that led to the rescue of pupils, teachers and the principal abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Speaking during an interview on TVC News on Friday, July 10, 2026, Adebayo said security operatives expanded their operations across several northern states, identifying and arresting individuals allegedly linked to the kidnappers.
According to him, the strategy was aimed at mounting sustained pressure on the criminal network and discouraging the abductors from harming the hostages.
Adebayo claimed that security agencies tracked the kidnappers’ associates as far as Adamawa State.
“All the way to Adamawa State they began to arrest family members and associates of these people. What they did was video the arrests and send the footage back to them, saying, ‘We’ve seen the one you killed. If you kill anyone, we will also kill your own family member,'” he said.
The security expert said the operation demonstrated how intelligence gathering and coordinated inter-agency efforts could be deployed to influence the actions of criminal groups during hostage situations.
According to Adebayo, security agencies focused on dismantling the kidnappers’ support network while intensifying pressure on those directly involved in the abduction.
The successful rescue of the Oriire pupils, teachers and principal brought relief to their families and residents of Oyo State after weeks in captivity.
The operation, carried out by the DSS alongside other security agencies, has been widely praised as a major example of coordinated security action against kidnapping.
