ORIIRE: How Suspects Used Abductees As Shields, Allowed Safe Passage For Children’s Safety
Friday’s release of the pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15 was the result of sustained pressure from security agents, it was gathered yesterday.
Subjected to intense pressure by the combined forces of the Nigerian Army and Navy Special Forces, Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Air Forces’ fighter jets and actionable intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS), the kidnappers were left with no choice but to request safe passage in order to leave the hostages unhurt, The Nationlearnt.
The kidnappers, identified as members of the Ansaru sect, had found themselves trapped and encircled by security agents, who advanced from multiple directions and in layers across all entry and exit points of their safe haven in the Old Oyo National Forest.
It was gathered that the terrorists had long made the forest, which shares boundaries with Borgu in Niger State and part of Zamfara State their territory, and had made multiple attempts at jail break in order to free their members held in the Borgu correctional facility since the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Following intense pressure from security forces, the terrorists, it was gathered, dropped their initial demands, which included the release of Ansaru leaders arrested for terrorism, a huge ransom and other unrealistic conditions.
They decided to hold on to the pupils, using them as human shields and insisting that the only way they would return unharmed was for them (terrorists) to get safe passage out of the forest.
Putting the safety of the hostages first, it was gathered that the joint security forces, with clearance from the Presidency, obliged the terrorists, who abandoned the captives and fled into Borgu through the path opened for them in the northern part of Kwara State.
It was gathered, however, that prior to reaching the deal earlier in the week, special forces had eliminated eight of the Ansaru terrorists within the general area in an exchange of gunfire.
The neutralised eight were discovered to have been planted by the terror kingpins to provide them with information on troops’ advancement.
“It was the information they were providing that led to the death of Lieutenant Felix Adame Isaac.
“Several of them were also arrested and handed over to the DSS (Department of State Services) and ONSA (Office of the National Security Adviser).
The source said the police and the DSS also arrested a handful of the terrorists’ relatives in different parts of the country in order to force them to surrender the hostages.
“Some of their mothers, wives and siblings were picked up, recorded and the videos sent to them.
“They just knew they were cornered all round and they had to use the hostages as means of escape,” he added.
Stressing that the ultimate goal of the government was the safe return of the hostages, the source said it would have been counter-productive to set a trap for the terrorists within the safe corridor since the abductees were yet to be reached.
Asked why the security forces did not consider eliminating the terrorists before they went out of sight, the source said: “I understand your point. But it would have been dangerous for the children and teachers. The focus was to ensure their safe return.
“The terrorists knew they had been cornered. They knew their identities had been uncovered, their relatives held. So, they had nothing to fear or lose anymore.
“Their only bargaining chip left was the hostages they used as human shields.
“For us to get the victims out alive and unhurt, it was only practical to allow them a safe corridor to run.
“That does not mean we are not after them. The operation has not (been) concluded. We will get all of them and ensure that they face the music.”
The source also dismissed claims that one or two of the pupils died in the kidnappers’ custody, saying they all returned unhurt and were offered psychosocial therapy.
“None of the children died. They were all released unhurt.
“We were careful to avoid any harm befalling any of the children, and that is why the operation lasted this long.
“We knew the location of the terrorists from the outset and encircled them, but could not go (on the) offensive because of the captives, most of whom were children,” he added.
Asked how Lt. Isaac died, the source said it was in an ambush by the terrorists during the early weeks of the rescue mission, adding that the officer was shot at by the criminals.
In a statement posted on its verified social media pages, the Nigerian Army alluded to the careful planning and execution of the operation to prevent collateral damage to the hostages, confirming that security forces suffered some casualties.
The statement signed by the spokesman for Army’s 2 Division, Lt.-Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, said the operation led by the General Officer Commander, Maj. Gen. Ralph Nnebeife, focused on identifying the terrorists kingpins, bursting and dismantling their networks, logistics links, informants and hideouts located within the forest.
The statement said: “As part of the operations, multiple arrests were made within Oyo State and in other locations across some states in the country.
“These arrests completely disorganised the group, exerted overwhelming pressure on them and ultimately led the terrorist group to unconditionally release the pupils and teachers.
“Further operations are to be conducted…”
The army confirmed that 44 pupils and teachers were rescued in the operation, acknowledging the efforts of the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Defence Headquarters, Navy, NAF, police, DSS, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies as well as local vigilantes/hunters/the Amotekun, in the well coordinated operation.
“The GOC 2 Division wishes to on behalf of all the participating agencies most sincerely and respectfully thank and appreciate His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the strategic guidance, support and for all the provisions that made the operation a huge success.
“The GOC also wishes to once again thank the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, and indeed the good people of the state for their continuous support to security agencies, especially during the trying period.
“The GOC also appreciates the National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Hon. Minster of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and other Service Chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and the Directors General DSS and NIA as well as Heads of other Security Agencies for their support and for the opportunity to relate directly with all the security agencies to ensure a seamless coordination and execution of the operations.
“We sincerely thank the various media houses and indeed the entire Nigeria populace for their support, understanding and for having faith in the security architecture of the nation.
“We urge all to remain vigilant and continue to support all security agencies by providing timely and credible information that would assist in the ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and properties across Nigeria,” the Army said.
Relatives of rescued hostages excited, family of slain teacher mourns
It was a mixed reaction for relatives of the Oyo school pupils and teachers rescued from kidnappers on Friday following intervention by government and security agencies.
While relatives of the rescued abductees expressed excitement to have their loved ones back, those of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, the teacher who was beheaded by the kidnappers, and Mr Adesiyan Adegboye who was shot dead at the scene of the kidnapping, mourned their loved ones.
Expressing excitement, an elder sister to mother of two of the abducted pupils, Mrs. Asabi Risikatu, said: “My sister cannot speak now. She is over excited.
“I am also so excited. I can’t even sleep now because of the joy in me. I will ask my sister to speak with you later.
“We thank the government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, and the security operatives for coming to our aid.
“We have seen our children. They are among the rescued victims. We will continue to be very grateful.”
A father to one of the abductees, Mr Musa Abdulwaheed, said: “As one of the parents of the kidnapped pupils in Oriire, I give thanks to Almighty God for the freedom of our pupils.
“Thanks to the Federal Government and the Governor of Oyo State for the freedom of our children.”
Another parent, who pleaded to anonymity, said: “Yes, I am the gladdest person this evening. I will have a good sleep tonight. I am so grateful to God.
“I saw my kids among the rescued victims in a viral video. I have not seen them physically, but at least, I have seen them in the videos trending and I am so glad that they are now in safer hands.”
However, a relative of Michael Olugbade Oyedokun, the teacher beheaded by the kidnappers in the wilderness, expressed mixed emotions over the release of the remaining victims, noting that while other families are celebrating the return of their loved ones, theirs could not experience such joy.
Oyedokun was among the teachers abducted alongside the pupils during the attack on the schools in Oriire Local Government Area. The deceased was reportedly killed by the abductors while the others remained in captivity for 56 days before regaining their freedom on Friday.
Reacting to the release of the victims, Oyedokun’s niece, Oluwabukolami, who has served as the family’s spokesperson throughout the ordeal on Instagram, said although the family was grateful that the remaining victims had returned safely, nothing could ease the pain of losing her uncle.
In an emotional post shared on Instagram, she congratulated the rescued victims and their families while lamenting that her uncle would never return home.
“They are finally home. My heart rejoices with every family that has been reunited with their loved ones after weeks of pain, fear and uncertainty. Welcome home,” Oluwabukolami said.
Onanuga knocks Atiku over silence, hails Obi’s reaction
The Presidency yesterday criticised former Vice President and presidential candidate of Africa Democratic Congress (ADC), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, for failing to react to the rescue of the abducted Oriire schoolchildren and their teachers, accusing him of remaining silent after previously using the incident to criticise the Federal Government.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made the allegation in a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, nearly a day after security agencies secured the release of the victims who had spent 56 days in captivity.
Onanuga claimed that Atiku, who had repeatedly commented on the abduction since it occurred, had not acknowledged the successful rescue operation or commended the security agencies involved in it.
“Almost 18 hours after the Oriire pupils and their teachers regained their freedom, Atiku Abubakar @atiku has not deemed it fit to rejoice with the Tinubu Federal Government, the security agencies and the traumatised victims,” Onanuga wrote.
He further alleged that the former Vice President had turned the abduction into a political issue during the period the victims were in captivity.
“Previously, he weaponised the kidnap as a campaign issue several times since it happened 57 days ago.
“Now that the abductees are out, all is quiet on Atiku’s internet lane. No comment. No words of praise,” Onanuga said.
The presidential aide also suggested that Atiku was withholding comments because he was hoping for negative developments that could be used to criticise President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Maybe the veteran presidential runner is waiting for some bad news to attack the Tinubu administration,” he said.
While criticising Atiku, Onanuga acknowledged the reaction of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying he had at least responded to the development.
“Kudos to Peter Obi: at least he has spoken and called for thanksgiving without commending the commander-in-chief,” Onanuga added.
The Presidency had on Friday announced the successful rescue of the Oriire pupils and their teachers, who were abducted in Oyo State 56 days earlier.
President Tinubu commended the military, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force for the operation, which also led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers while others were neutralised.
The President said the victims were rescued without any collateral damage.
The Nation gathered that the military set up in Oriire Local Government Area, which served as the operational base for the rescue mission, was yet to be demobilised even after the release of the victims.
Sources hinted that the surveillance will continue until the entire area including the Old Oyo National Park is safe for the residents and the visitors.
Some residents who spoke on condition of anonymity said: “We don’t want the security operatives to leave for now. We want the military base as well the police station in either Yawota or Ahoro Esienle community.”
