Terrorists Will Think Twice Before Targeting Schools After Oyo Rescue — Ex-DSS Director

Former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dennis Amachree, has said the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State has sent a strong message to terrorist groups, warning that future attacks on schools may no longer be an easy option.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Amachree described the perpetrators as part of a wider international terrorist network rather than ordinary bandits.

“I want to make it very clear we are dealing with international terrorism. We are not talking about these bandits now or even Boko Haram, which has already aligned itself and affiliated with Al-Qaeda, ISWAP and other international bodies,” he said.

According to him, the outcome of the operation that secured the victims’ freedom would likely force terrorist groups to reconsider similar attacks in the future.

“This particular situation, this incident, has sent a warning and, of course, I think the terrorists are going to think twice before they even think about school abduction,” Amachree stated.

He, however, stressed the need for authorities to strengthen preventive measures by revitalising the Safe School Initiative introduced after the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls.

“While we are doing that, I would also like to throw in here that we should now start looking at our Safe School Initiative, a programme that has been there since the Chibok girls, and then do something about it.

“We cannot continue to say we do not want these things to happen and then only react after they occur. Let’s be proactive about what is happening with terrorism in Nigeria,” he added.

Amachree’s remarks come days after security forces rescued pupils and teachers kidnapped from a school in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, ending their 56-day ordeal in captivity.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked the school. During their captivity, one of the teachers was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers.

In a statement issued after the rescue, the Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 2 Division, Lt. Col. Danjuma Danjuma, said the operation was intelligence-driven and followed more than a month of coordinated efforts by security agencies.

The military said the operation targeted the kidnappers’ network and hideouts within the Old Oyo National Park and other locations across the country, ultimately leading to the safe recovery of the victims.

Amachree also claimed the kidnappers’ motive went beyond ransom demands, alleging that the group sought the release of key terrorist figures currently in government custody.

“In this particular case, it was not basically about money. It was an exchange. They wanted their leaders out. Their leaders are very important, critical leaders who are wanted all over the world and are already in DSS custody. Some of them are being prosecuted, and those are the people they wanted,” he said.

He further alleged that the group tried to demonstrate its seriousness by carrying out a brutal killing during the hostage crisis.

“They were so desperate to show the country and the government that they were very serious that they slaughtered a teacher right in front of the cameras on social media to show that they were serious,” the former DSS official said.st show.