The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), has revealed that the bandits holding dozens of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State threatened to kill the hostages if security forces attempted a military rescue.
Speaking in a preview of an interview with News Central ahead of its full broadcast on Friday, the minister said the kidnappers were using the children as bargaining chips in an attempt to secure the release of some of their commanders currently in military custody.
“For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us, and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander,” he said.
“And now they’re threatening, when we wanted to take action against them, that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids.”
The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when armed men attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, alongside Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esinle, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The coordinated attacks left dozens of children and school staff in captivity and triggered a large-scale rescue operation by security agencies.
The Federal Government has since intensified efforts to secure the release of the victims, with President Bola Tinubu dispatching a high-powered delegation, including top security officials, to the affected communities shortly after the abductions.
The minister also called for tougher punishment for kidnappers and bandits, arguing that existing laws have failed to deter criminal activities across the country.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” he said.
The Oyo school abduction remains one of Nigeria’s most high-profile kidnapping cases this year, with security agencies continuing negotiations and rescue efforts while trying to avoid actions that could endanger the lives of the children and their teachers.
