Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has alleged that schoolchildren abducted from Oyo State have been relocated to Kaduna State, accusing Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) of abandoning rescue operations while focusing on perceived critics of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to Sowore, intelligence available to him suggests that the kidnapped pupils are no longer being held in Oyo but have been moved across state lines, raising concerns over the complexity of efforts to secure their release. He claimed that security agencies have failed to act decisively despite the prolonged captivity of the victims.
The activist further alleged that the DSS has shifted its attention towards monitoring and targeting individuals critical of the federal government instead of concentrating resources on rescuing the abducted children. His remarks add to growing public criticism over the handling of the kidnapping and the pace of rescue efforts.
The allegations come amid nationwide concern over the fate of the Oyo schoolchildren and their teachers, who were abducted by armed gunmen in May. The incident has reignited fears over rising insecurity and the increasing vulnerability of schools to mass kidnappings.
While Sowore insists the victims have been moved to Kaduna, there has been no official confirmation from the DSS or other security agencies regarding their current location. Government officials have previously maintained that operational details cannot be disclosed publicly, arguing that doing so could jeopardise ongoing rescue efforts.
