Some wives of suspected terrorists involved in the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may face prosecution if ongoing investigations confirm their active participation in the kidnapping operation, security sources have revealed.
The development follows the successful rescue of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers abducted from Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, 2026 after one teacher was murdered in captivity on July 10.
Security agencies have intensified efforts to locate the abductors, as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested several wives and children of the suspected kidnappers during intelligence-led operations carried out in different parts of the country, security sources familiar with the operation said.
The family members were later taken to Abuja where the women were questioned as part of the investigation.
Security sources said federal government officials were distinguishing between relatives simply connected to the suspects and others who may have been active in their activities.
One source said: “Children who have committed no offence will be released but any of the wives found to have played active roles in the criminal enterprise will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The arrests of the family members were a key factor in the operation, investigators believe, decreasing the chance the terrorists would harm the abducted victims. At the same time, security forces tightened their cordon around the hideout of the kidnappers in the forest of the National Park.
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The kidnappers became more responsive in contacts with negotiators after weeks of sustained military pressure and intelligence gathering, sources said. Finally they demanded the release of their wives in exchange for freeing the hostages and for guarantees of safe passage.
The security agencies rejected the proposal, insisting that the victims be released unconditionally and the terrorists surrender or face military action.
Later intelligence showed that the hostages were no longer being used as human shields and security authorities authorised a coordinated assault on the terrorists’ camp.
The operation successfully rescued all the schoolchildren and teachers who survived, while scores of terrorists were reportedly killed and eight suspects arrested.
Security sources said the operation’s handling was in line with the federal government’s policy of not paying ransom or negotiating with terrorist groups.
The abductors were said to have demanded ransom, two Hilux vehicles, the release of detained Ansaru commanders including Mahmud Usman, aka Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar and his deputy, Abubakar Abba aka Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri and enforcement of Sharia-related laws as conditions for freeing the victims.
The authorities have rejected the demands, opting for a sustained intelligence and military operation.
Investigations into the activities of the arrested suspects and their family members are ongoing, with security agencies expected to determine which individuals, if any, will face criminal charges and which ones will be released.
Borno Youths Protest Over Insecurity, Demand More Action After Oyo Rescue
While, youths and students in Borno State on Sunday campaigned against the worsening insecurity bedevilling the country, and called on the government to take stronger action against Boko Haram and bandits following the successful rescue of 44 Oyo students.
The campaign tagged #UniteAgainstTerror, brought student groups and youths across the state for an awareness campaign, at the Post Office area of Maiduguri, the state’s capital.
Speaking during the protest, the leader of the Youths and Students Forum in Borno State, Suleiman Muhammed, commended the federal government on the rescue of the abducted students in Oyo State, and called for stronger action to rescue all kidnapped victims in Borno State.
Muhammed also cautioned against falling for the antics of the terrorist group by acceding to its demands for ransom payments, saying if such requests were granted, they could further worsen insecurity in the country.
“This campaign today is to call our people, youths and all Nigerians citizens to join in one voice and fight against terrorism.
“Given what happened in Oriire, Oyo State, the government has tried not to accept the demands of the terrorists. Also, our security agencies have done what they are supposed to do.
“We believe the government will do the same in Borno state. “We know that the government will not take a position on the problem in a particular region,” he said.
He called for more strategic efforts to end insecurity by investing in youth empowerment and creating an enabling environment for the masses to thrive while appreciating the government.
“We appreciate what the government has been doing, but we want to call on them to please do more to bring an end to this insurgency.
Muhammed further said there is also a need for the government to provide an enabling environment for the youths to reduce the rate of crime in the country.
The protest also demanded political will through investment in security and support for security agencies.
One of them, Khadijat Abdullahi, said “For this fight to stop, the government must invest in the security system of the country by equipping troops and improving their welfare.
They must also look beyond the fight by identifying the underlying causes that make people to turn to crime. One of them is poorness. “Youth need employment and opportunities in the country,” she stressed.
Placards at the campaign ground carried messages such as: Unity Our Weapon Against Terrorism; Say No To Collaborating With Terrorists; Say No To Terrorism And Yes To Peace; Terror Divides, Unity Prevails.
Other included We Stand Together Against Terrorism and Criminality, We Are Stronger Together, and A Secure Nigeria Begins With All of Us.
