The Nigeria Police Force has revealed that some suspects linked to the recent school abduction in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State were tracked through telephone communications allegedly exchanged with the kidnappers during and after the attack.
Investigators disclosed that the suspects were believed to have provided information that helped the abductors navigate routes within the National Park and access hideouts used during the operation.
According to the Oyo State Police Command, at least six suspects have so far been arrested and are currently assisting security agencies with ongoing investigations into the incident that led to the abduction of schoolchildren and the killing of two teachers and a commercial motorcyclist in Ahoro-Esiele.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that the arrests were made during coordinated security raids carried out across different parts of the state.
He explained that preliminary findings indicated that some of the suspects allegedly acted as informants for the kidnappers and maintained communication with them through phone calls.
Ayanlade added that investigators were currently analysing the conversations as part of efforts to uncover the wider criminal network behind the attack.
Security agencies also reportedly discovered discussions relating to movement routes through the National Park and locations allegedly used by the kidnappers as safe shelters.
The police spokesperson noted that the operation involved a joint task force comprising the Nigerian Army, the Police, Amotekun Corps, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Agro-Rangers.
He assured residents that efforts were ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the criminal syndicate connected to the attack.
The incident has continued to generate concern across Oyo State following the abduction of pupils and the deaths recorded during the attack on the affected communities.
