“Department of Security Services DSS, The Army Were in Contact With The Bandits” – Presidency on Rescue of 38 Worshippers

The Nigerian Presidency has stated that the Military and the Department of Security Services (DSS) were instrumental in the rescue of 38 worshippers who were abducted during a live service from the Christ Apostolic Church, Eruku, Kwara state.

Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, on Monday said the Military and the DSS were in contact with the terrorists following the abduction of the worshippers.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Onanuga said the security agencies made direct contact with the terrorists and demanded the immediate release of the victims.

He added that the terrorists complied with the security agencies’ demand because they were conversant with the consequences of defying orders from the government.

Onanuga’s words, “After the incident happened, the DSS and the military were involved in the rescue efforts.

They got in contact with the bandits to release those people unharmed, and finally, on Sunday they were able to get them out,” Onanuga said.

He also noted that the Military, the DSS and other security agencies had established strategies to track terrorists and other armed groups across the country.

According to Onanuga, the agencies often exercise restraint because the criminals have also mastered the art of using their victims as human shields.

“The security people — at the risk of revealing how they work — have a way of tracking these people. They know what’s going on at any time. What sometimes restrains them from going after the kidnappers is the risk of collateral damage.

“They contacted them to release the victims because the bandits know the consequences of not listening to government demands,” Onanuga added.

He further noted that the most important thing is that the kidnapped victims have been rescued as the government ensured efforts were made towards achieving that aim.

“The first thing the government must do is get those people freed. That objective has been achieved. The next level of action is for the security agencies, and I don’t want to pre-empt them,” he said.