Oyo Abduction: Terrorists demand release of commanders, threaten to kill captives — Defence Minister

Terrorists holding dozens of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Nigeria's Oyo State have issued a chilling threat: they will kill their captives if troops attempt a military rescue. The Defence Minister, Christopher Musa, revealed this alarming development, stating that the abductors are using the schoolchildren as bargaining chips.

"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 explained in a preview of an upcoming interview. The identities of the specific terrorist commanders sought were not immediately clear, but reports suggest a faction of Boko Haram, known for similar tactics, is responsible.

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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.

The abduction occurred on May 15, when terrorists stormed three schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esinle communities. In total, 39 pupils and seven teachers were taken. Tragically, one teacher has since died in captivity. Security agencies are actively working to secure the release of the remaining victims.

Military authorities have identified the attackers as displaced members of Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda'Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS), a Boko Haram faction. They assert that these attacks do not indicate an established terrorist base in the South-west region but rather the actions of a displaced group. Despite this, the threat to kill the children underscores the extreme danger faced by the hostages and the complex challenges confronting the government in resolving the crisis.

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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.