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Some wives of suspected terrorists behind the abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may face prosecution if investigations establish that they actively participated in the kidnapping operation, security sources have disclosed.

The development comes days after troops and other security agencies successfully rescued the victims on July 10 following weeks of intelligence-led operations that culminated in an assault on the terrorists’ hideout in the Old Oyo National Park forest.

The victims were abducted on May 15 from the Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities, while one teacher was reportedly killed during the period of captivity.

Security sources familiar with the operation said operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested several wives and children of the suspected kidnappers during coordinated raids in different parts of the country as authorities intensified efforts to track down the abductors.

The family members were subsequently taken to Abuja for interrogation as part of ongoing investigations.

According to the sources, investigators are carefully distinguishing between relatives who were merely associated with the suspects and those who may have directly participated in the criminal activities.

One security source said children found to have committed no offence would be released, while any wife established to have played an active role in the kidnapping enterprise would face prosecution.

“Children who have committed no offence will be released, but any of the wives found to have played active roles in the criminal enterprise will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the source said.

Security officials believe the arrest of the suspects’ family members became a significant turning point in the operation, reducing the likelihood that the terrorists would harm the hostages as security forces tightened their siege around the kidnappers’ forest enclave.

Sources disclosed that after weeks of sustained military pressure and intelligence gathering, the terrorists became more willing to communicate with negotiators and eventually proposed exchanging the abducted schoolchildren and teachers for the release of their detained wives, alongside guarantees of safe passage.

The Federal Government reportedly rejected the proposal, insisting on the unconditional release of the hostages while demanding that the terrorists surrender or face military action.

Fresh intelligence later indicated that the captives were no longer being used as human shields, prompting security authorities to authorise a coordinated assault on the terrorists’ camp.

The operation resulted in the rescue of all surviving schoolchildren and teachers, while scores of terrorists were reportedly killed and eight suspects arrested.

Security sources said the operation underscored the Federal Government’s policy of refusing to pay ransom or negotiate with terrorist groups.

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded a 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, as well as the implementation of Sharia-related laws as conditions for freeing the hostages.

Authorities rejected the demands and instead relied on sustained intelligence operations and military action to secure the victims’ freedom.

Investigations into the activities of the arrested suspects and their family members are continuing, with security agencies expected to determine which individuals will face criminal charges and which will be released.