Oyo school kidnap: Security forces trace abductors’ network, associates

Security forces are mounting pressure on the abductors of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, Nigeria, after a significant intelligence breakthrough identified gang members and their associates nationwide. This development has reportedly shaken the abductors' confidence and increased their willingness to release the captives.

The breakthrough followed weeks of intelligence gathering by the Department of State Services (DSS), enabling operatives to identify key gang members and launch coordinated operations to locate their support network. This comes less than two weeks after security forces intensified surveillance around the suspected hideout in a National Park forest.

Sources familiar with the operation indicated that the abductors are increasingly apprehensive. "The kidnappers are becoming increasingly apprehensive. Their confidence has been shaken, and they are now showing greater willingness to release the children," one source stated. Another source expressed optimism that a joint team of DSS operatives and military personnel is closing in on the kidnappers' location, anticipating a safe rescue.

In total, 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, from schools in Yawota and Esinle communities. The abductors had initially demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, ransom payment, two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related laws. Specifically, they requested the release of Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, both identified as senior members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a Boko Haram splinter group.

“

The kidnappers are becoming increasingly apprehensive. Their confidence has been shaken, and they are now showing greater willingness to release the children.