[VIDEO] Intelligence, not negotiation, secured release of Oyo abductees – Former DSS operative

A former operative of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dr. Seyi Adetayo, has revealed fresh details about the intelligence-led operation that culminated in the rescue of abducted pupils, teachers and caregivers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying the breakthrough was achieved through sophisticated intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations rather than negotiations with the kidnappers.

Speaking during an interview on TVC News, Adetayo claimed that security agencies mounted a carefully planned operation that focused on identifying and tracking the families, relatives and close associates of members of the terrorist group Ansarul, an Al-Qaeda-linked extremist organisation allegedly responsible for the abduction. He stressed that his account reflected his understanding of the operation and has not been independently confirmed in full by the Federal Government. (Trending News)

According to the former intelligence officer, the operation followed months of surveillance and strategic planning after the arrest of two senior Ansarul leaders in 2024. He identified the suspects as Abbas Mukhtar and Abubakar Abba, popularly known as Mamuda, whom he described as key figures within the terrorist network wanted by international authorities over terrorism-related offences.

Adetayo said the arrests intensified pressure on the terrorist organisation, prompting its members to allegedly orchestrate the mass abduction in a bid to compel the Federal Government to release the detained commanders.

He explained that the attackers deliberately chose Oyo State because of its proximity to forest corridors leading towards the Kainji axis while also believing that attacking schoolchildren in the South-West would generate widespread national and international attention.

“The President is from the South-West, so they believed an operation there would create enormous political pressure. These are organised international terrorist networks that spend months planning major attacks rather than acting impulsively,” he said.

Adetayo commended the Federal Government for rejecting negotiations with the kidnappers, arguing that yielding to the group’s demands would have undermined Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts and weakened international intelligence cooperation.

According to him, the rescue strategy relied heavily on intelligence, surveillance and technology because many of the victims were very young children, making a direct military assault extremely risky.

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“We are talking about children as young as two to four years old. This was never an operation that required indiscriminate use of force. It demanded patience, intelligence and careful operational planning,” he said.

He further claimed that security agencies identified and arrested the mothers, wives, children and close associates of some of the suspected kidnappers in several northern states before allegedly sending video evidence of the arrests to the terrorists.

According to Adetayo, the strategy was intended to increase pressure on the kidnappers and discourage them from harming the abducted victims. He alleged that the security agencies warned the terrorists that any harm inflicted on the captives would have serious consequences for their own families. These specific claims have not been independently confirmed by Nigerian security agencies.

The former DSS operative also disclosed that troops quickly surrounded the kidnappers before they could relocate the captives from the forests in Oyo State to their operational base around the Kainji forest, a development he described as critical to the success of the rescue mission.

Drawing comparisons with the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, Adetayo said Nigerian security agencies had applied lessons learned from previous mass kidnappings by responding rapidly to prevent the victims from being dispersed into multiple locations.

“If you compare it with Chibok, the response then was much slower. This time, security forces immediately launched coordinated operations, secured the surrounding forests and disrupted the terrorists’ communication channels before they could move the victims,” he added.

His comments came shortly after the successful rescue of the abducted pupils, teachers and caregivers who had spent about 56 days in captivity after being kidnapped from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.

The Presidency has confirmed that the rescue was achieved through coordinated security operations involving multiple agencies. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said eight suspected kidnappers were arrested, several others were neutralised and no ransom was paid or prisoner exchange conducted despite demands by the kidnappers for the release of detained terrorist leaders. (Trending News)

Military authorities have also disclosed that the operation was intelligence-driven and involved the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), other security agencies, the Oyo State Security Network (Amotekun), local vigilantes and hunters, whose coordinated efforts dismantled the criminal network behind the abduction and secured the safe release of all the victims. (Tribune Online)

The rescue has been widely welcomed across Nigeria, with renewed calls for sustained intelligence-led operations, improved protection for schools and stronger collaboration among security agencies to prevent future attacks on educational institutions.

[VIDEO] Intelligence, not negotiation, secured release of Oyo abductees – Former DSS operative

Appeal Court rejects former Accountant-General’s bail application in N868m fraud trial

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has refused to grant bail to former Acting Accountant-General of the Federation, Anamekwe Nwabuoku, pending the determination of his appeal against his conviction for fraud, money laundering and the diversion of N868.4 million in public funds.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision delivered on Friday, dismissed Nwabuoku’s application for bail, ruling that it lacked merit. The three-member panel, led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko, held that the former public official failed to present sufficient grounds to justify his release while his appeal is awaiting determination.

The ruling represents another legal setback for Nwabuoku, who was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 23, 2026, after being found guilty on a nine-count charge bordering on fraud and money laundering brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the trial, held that the prosecution had successfully proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court subsequently convicted Nwabuoku on all nine counts and sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment on each count, bringing the total sentence to 72 years. However, the judge ordered that the sentences should run concurrently, meaning the convict will serve the prison terms simultaneously rather than consecutively.

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Dissatisfied with the judgment, Nwabuoku, through his lawyer, Norrison Quakers (SAN), filed a notice of appeal on May 8, 2026, challenging both his conviction and sentence. He also asked the Court of Appeal to grant him bail pending the determination of the appeal.

In his application, the former Acting Accountant-General argued that his health had deteriorated significantly while in custody. He claimed that the medical facilities available at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, which provides healthcare services for inmates of the Kuje Correctional Centre, were inadequate to manage his condition and that he required specialised medical treatment outside the correctional facility.

The EFCC, however, opposed the application through a counter-affidavit filed by its counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN). The anti-graft agency argued that the offences for which Nwabuoku was convicted involved the diversion of substantial public funds, undermining government efforts to tackle insecurity and deliver critical public services.

The commission further submitted that the applicant failed to provide credible medical evidence showing that his health condition could not be adequately managed within the existing correctional healthcare system.

According to the EFCC, records from the correctional authorities indicated that Nwabuoku had received regular medical attention and had not been denied access to healthcare whenever the need arose. The commission also maintained that the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital possesses the capacity to provide specialist care, including surgical procedures where necessary.

The anti-corruption agency argued that granting bail to a convict found guilty of large-scale corruption before the conclusion of his appeal would erode public confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system and weaken the country’s ongoing fight against corruption, money laundering and the misuse of public resources.

The EFCC further contended that releasing the former Acting Accountant-General at this stage could create the impression that high-profile corruption convicts receive preferential treatment, contrary to the principles of justice and accountability.

After reviewing the submissions of both parties, the Court of Appeal agreed with the prosecution and dismissed the bail application, holding that the applicant failed to establish exceptional circumstances required under the law to justify bail after conviction.

The substantive appeal challenging Nwabuoku’s conviction and sentence is expected to be heard by the Court of Appeal at a later date.

The case is one of several high-profile corruption prosecutions pursued by the EFCC as part of broader efforts to strengthen accountability in the management of public finances and deter financial crimes within Nigeria’s public service.

Appeal Court rejects former Accountant-General’s bail application in N868m fraud trial

Grand Chief Imam of Oyo hails rescue of abducted Oriire pupils, teachers

The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Sheikh Al-Imam (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has welcomed the successful rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing their freedom after 56 days in captivity as a moment of relief and thanksgiving for the state and the nation.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Islamic leader expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for what he described as the safe return of the victims, saying the development had renewed hope among the affected families and Nigerians.

He said the rescue marked the end of weeks of anxiety following the abduction, which drew widespread concern across the country and prompted sustained rescue efforts by security agencies.

The Grand Chief Imam commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers, as well as the directives that culminated in the intelligence-led rescue operation.

He also praised the President’s pledge to ensure justice for the victims and to provide medical care and humanitarian support for the rescued children and teachers.

Sheikh Akeugberu equally acknowledged the role of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, commending the state government for working closely with the Federal Government and security agencies throughout the rescue efforts.

He also expressed appreciation to the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abdul Hakeem Abimbola Owoade Elewuetu I, for his leadership, concern and support for the affected communities during the period of captivity.

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The cleric reserved special commendation for the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force and other intelligence and security agencies, praising their professionalism, resilience and coordinated operations that led to the successful rescue of the victims.

According to him, the dedication and sacrifices of security personnel in protecting lives and preserving national security deserve recognition and continued public support.

He also appreciated Islamic scholars, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations, media practitioners and Nigerians who stood by the victims’ families through prayers, advocacy and other forms of support while the children and teachers remained in captivity.

While celebrating the successful rescue, the Grand Chief Imam expressed condolences to the family of Michael Oyedokun, the teacher who was killed during the ordeal, praying that God grants them the strength to bear the loss.

He called on governments at all levels to strengthen security around schools and communities to prevent future attacks, stressing that the protection of children and educational institutions must remain a national priority.

The Islamic leader further urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with credible information and to promote unity in the collective effort to tackle kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of violent crime.

The rescue operation ended a 56-day ordeal that began on May 15, 2026, when armed kidnappers attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers in one of the most significant school kidnapping incidents recorded in Nigeria’s South-West.

Security agencies later confirmed that the victims were rescued during an intelligence-led operation in which some of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised while others were arrested.

Grand Chief Imam of Oyo hails rescue of abducted Oriire pupils, teachers