Ex-DSS Chief Reveals Why Oyo School Rescue Strategy Can’t Work Across Nigeria

A former Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Ngoshe, has explained why the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may not be replicated in every kidnapping operation across the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, the retired intelligence officer said every security operation is shaped by unique circumstances, making it impossible to adopt a one-size-fits-all approach.

Addressing concerns over why similar rescue operations have not been achieved in some northern states, Ngoshe urged Nigerians to have greater confidence in the nation’s security agencies.

“You are right that there have been mass abductions. But first of all, I want to address the issue of trust deficit. Nigerians should learn to trust their servicemen. These officers are working tirelessly, and they are recording successes in their own way.

“For every successful attack you hear about, there are at least five to ten planned attacks that security agencies have successfully foiled. These achievements do not come easily. We should put the issue of trust deficit behind us,” he said.

Ngoshe maintained that the circumstances surrounding the Oriire school abduction were significantly different from those in other conflict zones across the country.

“Every security operation has its own dynamics. What happened in Oriire is entirely different from what is happening in places like Borno.

“The political considerations and motivations that influenced the terrorists to carry out the Oriire abduction are not the same as those behind attacks in Gwoza.

“I am from Gwoza, which also came under attack, and many of our people are still in captivity. The circumstances are completely different from what happened in Oriire,” he stated.

The former DSS official also attributed the persistent violence in Plateau State largely to cycles of retaliatory attacks between communities.

“If a Berom community is attacked and people are killed, the Fulani community should expect retaliation without anyone needing to provide intelligence. Likewise, if a Berom group attacks a Fulani settlement, destroys property, kills residents and rustles cattle, retaliation is almost inevitable,” he said.

Defending the conduct of the Oriire rescue mission, Ngoshe dismissed criticism over the limited information released by security agencies, stressing that sensitive operations cannot be conducted in the public eye.

“It is not the kind of operation that should be carried out on the pages of newspapers or discussed on radio and television,” he said.

According to him, intelligence gathered during the operation indicated that the abductors initially intended to pressure the Federal Government into releasing detained Ansaru leaders.

He explained that security agencies responded by intensifying operations against the kidnappers’ support network.

“The service moved against their key assets, including their leaders, parents, wives and children, who were identified as collaborators.

“As pressure mounted, the terrorists opened communication with the service and presented certain conditions, but those demands were rejected outright.

“The pressure was shifted from the government to the terrorists themselves,” Ngoshe explained.

He further claimed that security operatives cut off the kidnappers’ access to food supplies, weapons and intelligence while dismantling their support network.

“They were denied food, denied weapons and their informants were turned into intelligence assets. Eventually, they realised they had no option but to surrender,” he said.

Ngoshe added that following the release of the victims, security forces launched an operation against the abductors.

“Some of the kidnappers were neutralised during the operation, while four others who sustained critical injuries were taken into custody. They later died in hospital, and the remaining suspects are currently being processed for prosecution,” he stated.