Orire: 4 Terrorists Who Were Critically Injured Died In Hospital, Others Are Being Prosecuted–Ngoshe

Former Assistant Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mohammed Ngoshe, says four suspected terrorists who were critically injured during the rescue operation that freed the abducted Orire schoolchildren later died in hospital, while other suspects are being prepared for prosecution.

Speaking on Channels Television, Ngoshe explained that security forces first arrested people linked to the kidnappers, including some of their alleged collaborators and family members, before increasing pressure on the group.

He said the kidnappers later contacted security agencies and tried to negotiate, but their conditions were rejected. 

According to him, the terrorists realised they could not harm the abducted children because they feared the people already in custody would also face serious consequences.

Ngoshe said security forces surrounded the terrorists' hideout in the Oyo Forest, cut off access to food, weapons and informants, and took control of the surrounding communities. As the operation tightened, the kidnappers found themselves with no escape route.

He added that during the final phase of the operation, security personnel from the army, police and other agencies came under attack, and three officers were killed after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED).

According to Ngoshe, the terrorists eventually released the schoolchildren before security forces engaged them. 

Some of the suspects were killed during the operation, while four who were critically wounded later died in hospital. He said the remaining suspects, including those with minor injuries, are being processed for prosecution.

In his words, "The four of them that were critically injured died in hospital, while the other ones are being processed to prosecuted."