Counter-terrorism expert Dr. Seyi Adebayo has revealed further details of the intelligence strategy he said was employed by the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies during the operation that led to the rescue of the Oriire pupils, teachers, and principal who were abducted by bandits in Oyo State.
Speaking during an interview from 10:54 on TVC News, on Friday, 10 July, 2026, while reacting to the successful rescue, Adebayo said security operatives expanded their operations across several northern states, identifying and arresting individuals linked to the kidnappers. According to him, the strategy was designed to exert pressure on the criminal group and compel them to reconsider harming the abducted victims.
Adebayo said, “All the way to Adamawa State they began to arrest family members, associates of these people. What they did was that they did video and send the video back to them and said ‘we’ve seen the one you killed, if you kill anyone, we will also kill your own family member.'”
He said the approach demonstrated how intelligence gathering and coordinated operations can be used to influence the actions of criminal groups during hostage situations. According to Adebayo, the security agencies focused on dismantling the kidnappers’ support network while increasing pressure on those directly involved in the abduction.
The rescue of the Oriire pupils, teachers, and principal brought relief to their families and the Oyo State community after days of uncertainty over their safety. The operation, which involved the DSS and other security agencies, has been widely viewed as an example of inter-agency collaboration in addressing kidnapping and other security challenges….See More