Some wives of suspected terrorists linked to the abduction of dozens of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State could be prosecuted if investigations show they were directly involved in the crime.
Security sources disclosed that authorities are currently examining the roles played by family members of the suspected kidnappers who were arrested during a series of intelligence operations carried out across the country.
The development comes days after security operatives successfully rescued 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers who were kidnapped from communities in Oriire LGA.
The victims were taken from Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa on May 15, 2026, and spent several weeks in captivity before their release. One teacher was reportedly killed during the ordeal.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested several wives and children of the suspected terrorists as security agencies intensified efforts to track down those responsible for the abduction.
The arrested family members were later moved to Abuja, where investigators questioned them as part of the wider operation aimed at dismantling the network behind the kidnapping.
Security officials said authorities are carefully separating individuals who may simply be relatives of the suspects from those who may have actively supported or participated in the criminal activities.
One source said children found not to have committed any offence would be released. However, any of the women discovered to have played a role in the kidnapping operation or other terrorist activities could face prosecution under relevant laws.
Investigators believe the arrests of the family members placed additional pressure on the kidnappers and may have contributed to efforts to secure the safe release of the victims.
At the same time, security forces reportedly intensified operations around the terrorists’ hideout located within the National Park forest. Troops maintained pressure on the group through sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering while restricting their movements.
Sources said the kidnappers became increasingly willing to engage with negotiators as military operations tightened around their camp.
During the negotiations, the terrorists reportedly demanded the release of their detained wives and sought assurances that they would be allowed safe passage after freeing the captives.
The proposal was rejected by security agencies.
Authorities insisted that the hostages must be released without conditions and maintained that the suspects would either surrender or face military action.
As intelligence reports indicated that the captives were no longer being used as human shields, security authorities approved a coordinated operation against the terrorists’ camp.
The operation led to the rescue of all surviving schoolchildren and teachers held by the group. Security sources said several terrorists were killed during the assault, while eight suspects were taken into custody.
Officials described the operation as consistent with the federal government’s position against paying ransom or yielding to demands made by terrorist groups.
The kidnappers had reportedly demanded a large ransom, two Hilux vehicles, the release of detained Ansaru commanders, including Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri.
The group was also said to have demanded the implementation of Sharia-related laws as part of the conditions for releasing the victims.
Authorities rejected all the demands and instead relied on intelligence-driven operations and military pressure to secure the release of the hostages.
Investigations are still ongoing. Security agencies are expected to determine the level of involvement of each arrested suspect and decide who will face criminal charges and who may eventually be released.
