A former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services, Dennis Amachree, has said the differing accounts surrounding the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State do not necessarily contradict each other, arguing that both narratives could accurately reflect events that unfolded during the operation.
The clarification follows conflicting explanations after the victims regained their freedom. While one of the rescued teachers said the terrorists had already released them before security operatives arrived to escort them to safety, the Federal Government maintained that the victims were freed through a coordinated rescue operation in which suspects were arrested without any prisoner exchange.
Speaking during an interview on TVC News on Monday, Amachree said the circumstances surrounding hostage rescues are often fluid and can produce different perspectives from those directly involved.
According to him, the terrorists could have indicated their intention to release the captives at the same time security operatives were closing in on their location.
“Both can exist as the truth because the situation is very fluid. They may have said they were about to release them, and then the security agents came in and completed the operation,” he said.
Amachree explained that the military and other security agencies had already weakened the terrorists before the captives regained their freedom by cutting off their movement, food supplies and communication channels.
He said the sustained pressure left the kidnappers with little room to manoeuvre, making it inevitable that they would lose control of the situation.
“The operation was squeezing the life out of the terrorists. They were surrounded in the forest, their food supply routes were cut off and their communication links disrupted. They had very limited options,” he stated.
He added that even if the terrorists claimed they intended to free the victims, the reality was that security forces had already placed them in a position where they could no longer continue holding the hostages.
Addressing concerns over the level of operational information released to the public, the former DSS official said Nigerians should appreciate the fact that security agencies had provided details about the operation, noting that similar missions often remain classified for years.
He observed that the DSS and the military had both offered explanations to reassure the public and counter misinformation surrounding the rescue.
Amachree also warned against giving terrorists excessive publicity, arguing that widespread media attention, particularly on social media, often serves one of their key objectives.
According to him, security agencies disclosed aspects of the operation to ensure Nigerians understood what transpired and to prevent false narratives from gaining traction.
He maintained that while transparency is important, public discussions about security operations should not inadvertently advance the objectives of criminal groups seeking attention through acts of terror.
(The Sun)