The successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo State—who regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity—has sparked questions about why similar tactics have not yielded the same results in northern conflict zones.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Mohammed Ngoshe, a retired Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), explained that security operations are highly dynamic and influenced by unique local factors that differ across regions.
Ngoshe urged Nigerians to have patience and trust the nation’s security agencies, noting that many successful counter-terrorism efforts go unannounced.
“For every successful operation that you see against Nigeria, more than five to ten such operations must have been foiled. These are no easy successes to achieve,” Ngoshe stated.
The dynamic differences between regional kidnappings
According to the retired intelligence chief, the circumstances driving criminal elements in southwestern Nigeria differ significantly from those in the North.
- Distinct political motives
The motives of the bandits in the Oyo abduction were distinct from the ideological and political agendas of terrorist groups operating in areas like Gwoza, Borno State. What pressures one group into negotiations or surrender may have no impact on another.
- Retaliatory violence in the Middle Belt
Addressing the security crisis in states like Plateau, Ngoshe pointed out that violence in these areas is heavily fueled by cycles of community retribution.
The cycle of revenge: Attacks between different ethnic or occupational groups (such as farmers and herders) often lead to immediate, predictable retaliatory strikes.
Intelligence limitations: In areas driven by deep-seated communal animosity, standard intelligence operations are harder to implement because the violence is reactive and decentralised.
Oyo school rescue operation: How it was won
Defending the operational secrecy of the DSS, Ngoshe explained that effective security work cannot be publicised while in progress. He detailed the strategic pressure campaign that eventually forced the Oyo kidnappers to capitulate.
The initial goal: The abductors originally targeted the school to leverage the federal government into releasing detained leaders of the Ansaru terrorist sect.
Cutting off support networks: Security agencies turned the tables by arresting the kidnappers’ key collaborators, including their informants, wives, and family members.
Resource deprivation: Forces successfully choked off the criminals’ supply lines, denying them access to food, ammunition, and logistical support.
The final strike: Once isolated, the kidnappers had no choice but to surrender. Following the release of the hostages, security forces engaged the remaining criminals, neutralising several and taking critically injured survivors into custody for prosecution.
Professionalism over political interference
When asked about potential political interference hindering security operations, Ngoshe emphasised the critical role of strong agency leadership.
