A former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin (retd.), has provided a rare behind-the-scenes look into the rescue of 46 teachers and pupils in Oyo State, crediting the Department of State Services (DSS) for using “superior intelligence” rather than bullets to secure their freedom.
In a statement released in Osogbo on Monday, the retired military chief revealed that while the public and media had largely attributed the success of the operation to the military, the “non-kinetic” strategy employed by the secret police was the true catalyst for the victims’ release.
The victims were abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15 by the notorious terror group, Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan, better known as Ansaru.
The ‘Family Video’ Strategy
Petinrin disclosed that the kidnappers were forced to negotiate after the DSS successfully tracked down and arrested members of the terrorists’ own families.
“The release of the Oriire kidnap victims was already being credited to the military until one of the released victims told the true story: they were released by the kidnappers, and no kinetic action was involved,” Petinrin stated.
He further explained: “The kidnappers even told their victims why they were being released: members of the kidnappers’ families had been arrested and their videos were sent to the kidnappers. But how were the kidnappers identified and their relatives traced to their various places of abode? That was the work of the DSS and other actors in the intelligence community.”
The ‘Silent’ Professionals
The former CDS lauded the DSS for its tactical silence, noting that intelligence professionals often allow others to take the limelight while they focus on the results.
“While the side players were being eulogized and the main DSS actors responsible for the release were being ignored, the DSS kept silent. That is the way of solid intelligence professionals,” he said. “Intelligence is the grandfather of military operations.”
Patience as a Security Template
Petinrin also commended the high-level coordination between President Bola Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and the nation’s security top brass, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru; Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; and the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Ajayi.
He argued that their collective restraint prevented a bloodbath.
“The Yoruba admonition that ‘hot pap requires patience to consume’ was scrupulously heeded in this operation. It could serve as a template for future anti-kidnapping operations,” Petinrin added, noting that a direct military assault might have resulted in high casualties among the pupils.
Background of the Raid
The crisis began in mid-May when Ansaru terrorists stormed the Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Esiele. The raid left one teacher dead and dozens of children in captivity for several weeks before their eventual release.
Security analysts say Petinrin’s revelation highlights a shifting trend in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency strategy, moving toward high-tech intelligence and leverage-based negotiations to protect civilian lives.
