The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said the bandits who abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have threatened to kill the captives if security forces move closer to their location.
Musa disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking during an interview on News Central television.
On May 15, gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire LGA and abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, including the principal of one of the affected schools.
Days after the abduction, the kidnappers reportedly killed one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, while he was in captivity.
The incident has sparked outrage across the country, with several Nigerians taking to social media and the streets to demand the release of the remaining victims.
Speaking on the efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers, Musa said the kidnappers were using the victims as leverage to secure the release of some of their commanders currently in military custody.
According to him, the abductors believe that holding the schoolchildren and teachers hostage would pressure the government and security agencies into releasing their detained leaders.
“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,” Musa said.
He added that the kidnappers had warned security forces against advancing towards them, threatening to kill the abducted children if troops moved closer.
“And now they’re threatening that when we want to take action against them, if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids,” the minister stated.
Musa also spoke on the broader challenge of banditry and kidnapping in the country, calling for stronger punishment against perpetrators.
The Defence Minister said he supports the death penalty for bandits and kidnappers, arguing that weak laws have emboldened criminals and encouraged repeated attacks.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. They should know that once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” he said.
The minister’s comments come amid heightened public concern over the safety of the abducted Oyo pupils and teachers, as security agencies continue efforts to secure their release.
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