TMNT (1990) - Was Splinter REALLY trying to get captured?

Okay, so I was rewatching the OG TMNT the other day (pizza cravings, naturally) and something struck me about Splinter. We all know he's captured by the Foot Clan and that's, like, the catalyst for everything, right? But... what if it wasn't just a random thing? What if he let himself get taken? Hear me out. He knew the turtles were getting restless, itching for a fight. He'd been training them for years in secret, and they were practically bursting at the seams with ninja skills. Maybe, just maybe, Splinter saw being captured as a slightly messed-up but necessary way to force them to put their training to the test FOR REAL. Like, a tough-love kind of thing. Think about it - he's super wise, a master strategist. It's not like he just wandered into a Foot Clan trap by accident. Remember when he's imprisoned and kinda meditating? It's like he's at peace knowing they're finally stepping up. Also, and this is important i think, he DOES know Casey Jones is out there, right? He's shown to be somewhat aware of things in the world. He's gotta know the Turtles will find a friend in him, right? I know it's a bit of a dark take, considering Splinter's supposed to be this benevolent father figure. But think about the alternative. If he hadn't been captured, would the turtles have ever truly had their backs against the wall? Would they have EVER been forced to work together the way they did? I think it's a stretch to call it a 'good' plan, but it fits the intensity of the story and Splinter's character. He's not just wise, he's also a product of a hard environment AND is a freaking rat lol. What do you guys think? Is this totally nuts, or is there something to it?