Some wives of suspected terrorists linked to the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may face prosecution if investigations confirm their involvement, security sources have disclosed.
The development follows the rescue on July 10 of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers abducted on May 15, 2026, from communities in Oriire. One teacher was reportedly killed while in captivity.
Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier arrested several wives and children of the suspected kidnappers during intelligence-driven operations across the country. The women were taken to Abuja for interrogation as authorities sought to determine their level of involvement.
Sources said the government is distinguishing between family members with no links to the crime and those who may have actively supported the kidnappers. “Children who committed no offence will be released, while any wife found complicit will be prosecuted,” a source said.
Security officials noted that the arrests contributed to the success of the rescue mission, as sustained military pressure and intelligence operations forced the kidnappers to weaken their позиции. A coordinated assault eventually led to the rescue of the victims, with several terrorists killed and eight suspects arrested.
Authorities maintained that they rejected ransom demands and instead relied on strategic operations, in line with the government’s policy against negotiating with terrorists.
Meanwhile, youths and students in Borno State have called for intensified efforts to tackle insecurity, urging the government to replicate the Oyo rescue success in the region.
At a protest in Maiduguri tagged #UniteAgainstTerror, participants commended security agencies but stressed the need for stronger action against insurgents. They also called for investment in youth empowerment, improved welfare for security personnel, and broader measures to address poverty and unemployment, which they described as key drivers of insecurity.