The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has revealed that bandits holding dozens of abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State threatened to kill the captives if security forces moved closer to their hideout during rescue operations.
Musa said the kidnappers were using the schoolchildren and their teachers as bargaining chips in an attempt to force the military to release some of their commanders currently in government custody.
The minister made the disclosure in a preview of an interview with News Central released on Wednesday ahead of the full broadcast scheduled for Friday on the station’s *NC Exclusive* programme.
According to him, the military had considered taking direct action against the criminals, but the kidnappers warned that they would execute all the captives if troops launched an assault on their camp.
“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.
“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.”
The minister’s comments provide fresh insight into the difficult choices facing security agencies as they work to secure the release of the victims without putting their lives at greater risk.
The abduction occurred on May 15, when heavily armed gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and two other schools in Esinle, all located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
During the attack, the kidnappers abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers, throwing families and residents into panic and sparking nationwide concern over the growing insecurity affecting schools.
The incident was particularly shocking because Oyo State has not witnessed school kidnappings on the same scale as some states in Nigeria’s North-West and North-Central regions.
Since the abduction, security agencies have continued efforts to locate the victims and rescue them safely.
Governor Seyi Makinde has repeatedly assured residents that his administration is working closely with the military, police and other security agencies to ensure the safe return of the children and their teachers.
However, nearly eight weeks after the attack, the victims remain in captivity, raising fears among parents and education stakeholders.
Musa’s latest revelation suggests that the military is being forced to balance the urgency of rescuing the captives with the risk of provoking the kidnappers into carrying out their threats.
Speaking further during the interview, the Defence Minister argued that Nigeria needs tougher laws to discourage kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.
He threw his weight behind the death penalty for convicted bandits and kidnappers, saying the current legal system does not impose enough consequences on criminals.
“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,” he said.
Musa maintained that stronger punishment would send a clear message that violent crimes would not be tolerated and could discourage others from taking up kidnapping as a business.
His remarks add to the ongoing national debate over how best to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
While some Nigerians support tougher punishments, including the death penalty, others argue that improving intelligence gathering, strengthening law enforcement and ensuring speedy prosecution of suspects are more effective ways to reduce crime.
Kidnapping for ransom has become one of Nigeria’s biggest security challenges in recent years.
Armed groups operating across different parts of the country have increasingly targeted schools, highways, rural communities and even places of worship, often demanding huge sums of money before releasing their victims.
The repeated attacks have disrupted education in many communities, with some schools forced to shut down temporarily due to security fears.
The Federal Government has repeatedly stated that it does not support paying ransom to kidnappers, insisting that security agencies are committed to rescuing victims through intelligence-led operations.
The military has also continued operations against bandit groups across several states, leading to the arrest or killing of many suspected gang leaders.
According to Musa, some of the commanders currently in military custody appear to be the reason the kidnappers are holding the Oyo schoolchildren, hoping to exchange the hostages for their detained leaders.
Despite the challenges, the Defence Minister assured Nigerians that security agencies remain committed to rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers safely.
Parents of the victims have continued to appeal to the Federal Government and Oyo State Government not to relent until all those kidnapped regain their freedom.
The abduction has once again highlighted the need for stronger security around schools, particularly in rural communities where many institutions remain vulnerable to attacks.
As rescue efforts continue, many Nigerians will be hoping that the pupils and teachers return home safely and that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.