The kidnappers who have taken 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers from the Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota, and Alawusa communities in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly revised some of their initial demands, now primarily focusing on securing ransom payments.
Initially, the terrorists had four main demands, which included the release of detained terrorist leaders, a ransom payment, the provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the enforcement of Sharia law.
Among those whose release was sought are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri.
Both are recognized as senior figures in Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a splinter group of Boko Haram, and were apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS) last year.
Security sources have revealed that troops and other personnel involved in the rescue mission have encircled a hideout in the National Park forest area where the victims are believed to be held.
The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when terrorists attacked three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, taking 46 individuals hostage.
According to various security sources familiar with the situation, the terrorists have been effectively contained within the forest, with security forces blocking potential escape routes and limiting their movement with the hostages.
Further reports indicate that, under increasing pressure and the threat of capture, the terrorists recently executed one of the abducted teachers, allegedly to coerce authorities into halting the ongoing rescue efforts.
Nevertheless, as security forces ramp up their operations around the hideout, the kidnappers have reportedly dropped some of their previous demands and are now mainly focused on obtaining ransom payments.
Investigations suggest that the leader of the kidnapping group is a local from the Oriire Local Government Area who previously lived among the community before allegedly being radicalized by the Ansaru terrorist organization.
The communities that have been affected are found near Nigeria’s border corridor leading to the Niger Republic and the Kainji area, which is marked by challenging terrain and limited communication facilities.
According to security sources, earlier intelligence reports had revealed plans by terrorists to assault schools in the region, which led to preventive actions, including the temporary closure of some educational institutions.
The sources also mentioned that ongoing military campaigns against terrorist organizations across the nation have forced many insurgents to leave their usual strongholds and increasingly target defenseless civilian communities.
In recent months, security agencies have reported significant achievements against members of Ansaru, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), bolstered by intelligence from the DSS.
The sources reported that at least 168 high-ranking terrorist commanders have been neutralized in recent operations, with several others being captured.
It is also believed that many insurgents have fled to neighboring countries.
A senior security officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, expressed confidence that the ongoing military operations would ultimately lead to the defeat of terrorist groups in the country.
“The battle against terrorism will be won. We will not cease our offensive until these criminals are either eliminated or expelled from the country. The signs of victory are already becoming apparent,” the officer remarked.
(Source: Guardian Newspapers)
