Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has disclosed that bandits holding pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State threatened to kill the captives if security forces moved closer to their location.
Speaking in a preview of an interview with News Central, the minister said the abductors were using the schoolchildren as leverage to demand the release of some of their commanders in military custody.
According to him, security forces considered taking action against the kidnappers but were met with threats that the children would be killed if troops advanced.
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The comments come nearly eight weeks after gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and two other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, during attacks on May 15.
The incident sparked widespread concern and renewed calls for stronger security around schools.
Speaking on efforts to curb kidnapping and banditry, the minister also backed the death penalty for convicted kidnappers, arguing that stronger punishments would serve as a deterrent.
He said weak laws had emboldened criminals and stressed the need for firmer consequences for serious offences.
Authorities have continued efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted victims while sustaining operations against bandits and other criminal groups.
