Nine Killed in Oyo Kidnap Victims’ Rescue Operation — DSS DG
Four Civilians and Five Security Personnel Reportedly Died During Efforts to Rescue Abducted Victims in Oyo State
Nine people, including four civilians and five security personnel, were killed during an operation to rescue kidnapping victims in Oyo State, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Oluwatosin Ajayi, has disclosed. Ajayi said security agencies launched an immediate pursuit after receiving credible information about the abduction, leading to a series of operations aimed at locating and rescuing the victims.
According to the DSS chief, the initial pursuit resulted in the deaths of a vigilante member and a police officer. Additional fatalities were recorded during a subsequent operation at the location where the abductors were holding their victims. Ajayi said the combined casualties from the operations brought the total number of deaths to nine, comprising four civilians and five security personnel.
Ajayi described the rescue mission as particularly challenging because the abducted group included a very young child. He explained that security forces had to consider the safety of the hostages while planning their response, making the operation more complicated than a conventional raid. The victims were eventually rescued, bringing an end to their captivity.
The DSS director-general also warned about misinformation surrounding the incident. He said some disturbing videos circulated on social media as purported evidence from the Oyo kidnapping were actually old footage from another country and had no connection with the operation. He urged the public and media organizations to verify information before sharing it, particularly during sensitive security incidents.
Ajayi further stated that the kidnapping group was linked to an international terrorist organisation with connections to Al-Qaeda, adding that the DSS had previously arrested some of its leaders. The disclosure highlights the increasingly complex security challenges surrounding kidnapping in parts of Nigeria and the risks faced by both civilians and security personnel during rescue operations. Authorities continue to stress intelligence gathering, coordinated security action and responsible information sharing as important elements in tackling the threat.
