Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, has revealed that the bandits who abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State threatened to kill the children if security forces attempted to rescue them by force.
According to the minister, the kidnappers warned that any advance by troops would result in the execution of the abducted pupils. He explained that the criminals used the children as human shields while demanding the release of some of their commanders.
The minister said the security agencies had to act with caution to avoid putting the lives of the children at greater risk. He noted that the safety of the victims remained the government’s top priority throughout the operation.
He added that the military and other security agencies continued to apply both strategic and intelligence-driven efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils without unnecessary loss of life.
The incident has sparked fresh concerns over the growing insecurity affecting schools and communities across the country, with many Nigerians calling for stronger measures to tackle kidnapping and banditry.