Oyo school abduction: Bandits threaten to kill abducted pupils if troops advance

Oyo school abduction: Bandits threaten to kill abducted pupils if troops advance

Fresh concerns have emerged over the fate of the 39 abducted pupils and seven teachers kidnapped from schools in Oyo State, following a chilling revelation by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, that the bandits have threatened to kill the hostages if security forces attempt a rescue operation.

The minister disclosed that the kidnappers are using the schoolchildren as bargaining chips to demand the release of some of their commanders currently in military custody, placing security agencies in a delicate position as they work to rescue the victims safely.

Speaking in a preview of an interview with News Central, Badaru said the Federal Government is under pressure from the terrorists but remains determined to secure the victims’ release without surrendering to criminal demands.

“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.

“Now they’re threatening that if we move any closer to take action against them, they’re going to kill all the kids,” the minister said.

The latest disclosure sheds more light on the difficult choices confronting the military and other security agencies as they continue intelligence-driven operations to free the abductees while avoiding actions that could endanger their lives.

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The Oyo school abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when heavily armed bandits invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, along with two other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers in one of the most disturbing attacks on educational institutions in the South-West.

Nearly two months after the incident, the victims remain in captivity, with families anxiously awaiting their safe return and public concern growing over the prolonged ordeal.

Security sources have indicated that rescue operations are being complicated by the difficult terrain of the Old Oyo National Park, where the kidnappers are believed to be hiding. The vast forest, coupled with the terrorists’ frequent movement between locations, has made precision military operations more challenging.

The Federal Government has, however, maintained its stance against negotiating with terrorists by exchanging detained commanders for the abducted children, warning that such concessions could encourage more kidnappings and embolden criminal groups across the country.

To strengthen rescue efforts, the Nigerian Air Force has sustained aerial surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions over suspected hideouts, while ground troops and other security agencies continue coordinated operations aimed at locating the victims and securing their freedom.

The prolonged captivity has already taken a tragic turn. Reports indicate that one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed by the kidnappers, while another hostage appeared in a distress video appealing to the government to intensify efforts to rescue those still being held.

Security agencies have also arrested several suspected collaborators believed to have provided logistical support and information to the kidnappers, as investigations into the criminal network continue.

Beyond the ongoing rescue efforts, the Defence Minister renewed his call for tougher punishment for those involved in kidnapping and terrorism, throwing his weight behind the death penalty for convicted offenders.

According to him, stronger sanctions are necessary to discourage criminality and restore public confidence in the country’s justice system.

“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,” Badaru stated.

His position echoes recent calls by former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, as well as Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, both of whom have advocated capital punishment for convicted kidnappers and bandits.

The continued captivity of the abducted Oyo pupils has reignited national debate over school security, particularly in rural communities where educational institutions remain vulnerable to attacks by armed groups. Parents, education advocates, religious organisations and civil society groups have urged the Federal Government to intensify rescue efforts while strengthening security around schools to prevent similar incidents.

Although security authorities insist that operations to rescue the victims are ongoing, the latest threat by the kidnappers underscores the urgency of the mission and the high stakes involved. Nigerians continue to hope for the safe return of the children and their teachers as security agencies pursue every available option to end the crisis without further loss of life.

Oyo school abduction: Bandits threaten to kill abducted pupils if troops advance