TERRORISTS SET FOUR CONDITIONS FOR RELEASE OF ABDUCTED VICTIMS.
The terrorists holding teachers and pupils abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly outlined four major demands before they will release their captives.
The armed group, which attacked schools in the Esinele, Yawota, and Alawusa communities on May 15, is demanding the release of two detained terrorist commanders, payment of a ransom reportedly running into billions of naira, the provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related laws.
COMMANDERS AT THE CENTER OF THE DEMANDS.
According to reports, the terrorists are seeking the release of Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, who is also known by several aliases including Isah Adam, Mahmud Al-Nigeri, and Mallam Mamuda.
The two men are senior figures in Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS), commonly known as Ansaru, a faction that split from Boko Haram. Authorities accuse them of supporting and facilitating terrorist activities across Nigeria between 2013 and 2015.
Security records also link the duo to the 2022 Kuje prison break, one of the country’s most significant prison attacks in recent years.
ONGOING TERRORISM TRIAL.
Usman and Abba were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently facing terrorism-related charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, commenced on January 15, 2026.
In a separate case, Usman was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to illegal mining charges. During the proceedings, he admitted that proceeds from the mining operations were used to finance the procurement of arms for terrorism and kidnapping activities.
While he pleaded guilty to the mining charge, he denied 31 other terrorism-related counts and remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) pending trial. His deputy, Abba, pleaded not guilty to all 32 charges and is also standing trial.
₦1 BILLION RANSOM REPORTEDLY REQUESTED.
Sources familiar with the negotiations claim the terrorists are also demanding a ransom of ₦1 billion, allegedly to be paid into a bank account located in the Republic of Benin.
However, independent verification of the ransom figure has not been possible.
SECURITY EXPERT WARN AGAINST CONCESSIONS.
Security experts have cautioned the government against yielding to the terrorists’ demands.
Retired Brigadier-General Bashir Adewinbi described the situation as a difficult test for the government, warning that paying ransom or releasing high-profile terror suspects could strengthen criminal networks and encourage future abductions.
Another retired military officer, Brigadier-General Peter Aro (retd.), advised authorities to first establish credible proof that the victims remain alive before making any major decisions. He noted that prolonged captivity poses severe physical and psychological risks, especially for children.
OYO GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS SILENCE.
The Oyo State Government has declined to provide details regarding negotiations or the current status of rescue efforts.
Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, stated that revealing the government’s strategy while efforts are ongoing would be counterproductive.
TEACHERS KILLED BY ABDUCTORS.
The kidnapping crisis took a tragic turn when the terrorists released a video on May 17 showing the killing of one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.
Governor Seyi Makinde later confirmed the teacher’s death, describing the incident as heartbreaking and assuring residents that efforts to secure the release of the remaining captives would continue.
GROWING CONCERN OVER SCHOOL SECURITY.
The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of schools in parts of Nigeria, with parents, community leaders, and security analysts calling for stronger measures to protect students and teachers from attacks by armed groups.
As negotiations and rescue efforts continue, families of the victims remain hopeful for the safe return of their loved ones.