STRONG indications have emerged that pressure is mounting on the abductors of schoolchildren and teachers from Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, following a major intelligence breakthrough that has enabled security agencies to identify members of the kidnapping gang and trace some of their associates across the country.
The development, security sources said, has unsettled the abductors, who are now under intense psychological pressure after realising that operatives have established links to members of their support network.
This came as the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, expressed confidence in the ongoing rescue operation, declaring that troops were making steady progress towards securing the victims’ release.
According to security sources, the breakthrough followed weeks of intelligence gathering by the Department of State Services, DSS, which enabled operatives to identify key members of the gang before launching coordinated operations to locate their associates in different parts of the country.
The latest development comes less than two weeks after security forces reportedly blocked the abductors’ escape routes and intensified surveillance around their suspected hideout in the National Park forest, where the victims are believed to be held.
A source, familiar with the operation, disclosed that the abductors had become increasingly apprehensive following the intelligence breakthrough.
“The kidnappers are becoming increasingly apprehensive. Their confidence has been shaken, and they are now showing greater willingness to release the children,” the source said.
Another source disclosed that a joint team of DSS operatives and military personnel was steadily closing in on the kidnappers’ location, expressing optimism that the operation would culminate in the safe rescue of the hostages.
39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and two other schools in Esinle.
Vanguard
