DSS Raises Alarm Over Planned Mass Abduction Of School Children In Edo State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Edo State Command of the  Department of State Services, DSS, has issued an advisory on a planned mass abduction targeted at Edo state schools by  banditry elements.

The DSS raised this alert in a memo dated June 5, 2026, with reference number S.66/A/3972, signed by one B. Agada, on behalf of the Director and addressed to the  State Commandant of the NSCDC.

According to the security alert, schools in Edo North Senatorial District are at a higher risk, particularly those located in vulnerable areas.

The advisory is coming on the heels of growing incidents of mass kidnappings of school children in different parts of the country, with the Oyo state school abduction the latest.

The DSS intelligence memo , indicated the interception of a highly sensitive conversation between two suspected terrorist elements simply identified as Bawa and Nuhu detailing the planned operations.

According to the DSS, in the course of the discussions, the two suspects reviewed past  operational modes ,and subsequently considered tactical changes in the face of failure in previous attempts at abducting some targeted wealthy and influential figures for the purpose of  generating   substantial financial gains.

The DSS emphasized that the suspects were of the view that the mass abduction of school children will create the enabling impact, attract significant public interest and concern, with much pressure exacted on relevant authorities potentially resulting in considerable  financial rewards.

The Service expressed serious concern that the planned tactical shift by the terrorists has the potential of heightening security challenges across the country, going by the experience of mass abduction of school children in the last couple years.

The elite security agency in the report also disclosed the arrest of a 25-year old suspect ,one Emmanuel Momidu , precisely.on June 4,2026, in connection with alleged illegal surveillance activities within the Makeke Secondary School in Makake community of Akoko Edo local council of Edo State.

Operatives were said to have become suspicious following the suspects committed monitoring movements around the school’s environment ,and immediate premises.

According to the DSS, the interception of the suspect has since added value to the entire investigative processes aimed at unraveling other members of the syndicate ,as well as their operational blueprint.

Consequently, the secret service in the intelligence report, urged security agencies in the state to, as a matter of urgency, enhance security around schools and other educational facilities, especially those located in vulnerable parts of the Edo North Senatorial District.

This was as the service sued for inter-agency,and stakeholders collaboration with a view to nipping the threat in the bud.

Accordingly ,the DSS emphasized sustained local intelligence ,as well as the involvement of local vigilante groups, hunters, and community leaders in intelligence gathering and operations.