Oyo abduction: Fleeing terrorists escaped with most useful information -Ex-DSS boss, Daura

Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lawal Daura, has raised fresh concerns about the recent rescue of teachers and schoolchildren who were abducted by suspected Ansaru terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, warning that the operation may not have dealt a lasting blow to the terrorist network.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Daura said that while the safe return of the victims was a welcome development, reports indicating that the terrorists abandoned the captives before fleeing suggest that the key members of the group may have escaped.

According to him, if those reports are accurate, then the individuals who possess the most valuable intelligence about the terrorist group’s operations, leadership, and future plans are still at large and could regroup to launch fresh attacks.

Daura stressed that the disappearance of the kidnappers before security forces reached the victims should not be interpreted as the complete defeat of the terrorist group. Instead, he argued that it raises important questions about the whereabouts of the fleeing terrorists and the possibility of future threats.

In his words:

“What I read from the media was that they abandoned the pupils. So that means those that might have been in possession of the real information that they have must have disappeared. They say, ‘He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.'”

His comments come just days after security forces announced the successful rescue of the kidnapped teachers and pupils following an intensive operation in Oyo State. The rescue was widely celebrated across Nigeria, with many praising the military and other security agencies for securing the victims’ freedom.

However, Daura believes the operation should not mark the end of the investigation. He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects, arguing that allowing them to remain at large could leave communities vulnerable to future attacks.

Security analysts have repeatedly warned that dismantling terrorist networks requires not only rescuing victims but also capturing or neutralizing those responsible, gathering intelligence, and disrupting their logistics and support structures.

As Nigerians continue to celebrate the safe return of the rescued victims, Daura’s remarks have sparked fresh debate about whether enough has been done to ensure that those behind the kidnapping are brought to justice and prevented from striking again.