OYO SCHOOL ABDUCTORS SEEK PRISONER SWAP, RANSOM FOR OYO SCHOOL VICTIMS

Read Time:2 Minute, 15 Second

By: Balogun Ibrahim

Terrorists who abducted teachers and pupils from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly outlined four conditions for the release of their captives.

The victims were kidnapped during coordinated attacks on schools in the Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15. According to reports, the abductors are demanding the release of two detained terrorist commanders, payment of a ransom, the provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related law.

The commanders whose release is being 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, popularly called 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. They are accused of supporting terrorist activities between 2013 and 2015 and have also been linked to the 2022 Kuje prison attack.

READ MORE…

VIDEO: LSSTF EQUIPS LAGOS POLICE TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY OPERATIONS

Arrested between May and July 2025, both men are currently facing terrorism-related charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Their trial commenced on January 15, 2026.

Usman was previously sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on September 11, 2025, after admitting to a charge of illegal mining, which prosecutors said financed terrorism and kidnapping operations. He denied 31 other charges and remains in DSS custody pending trial.

Abba, meanwhile, pleaded not guilty to all 32 charges against him and is also standing trial before the same court.

Reports further suggest that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of ₦1 billion to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin, although this claim has not been independently verified.

Security experts have cautioned against yielding to the demands. Retired Brigadier-General Bashir Adewinbi warned that releasing convicted or accused terrorist leaders, or paying ransom, could embolden criminal groups and strengthen their operational capacity.

Another retired Brigadier-General, Peter Aro, urged authorities to first verify that the hostages remain alive before making any decisions, stressing the dangers posed by prolonged captivity, particularly for children.

The Oyo State Government has remained silent on the reported demands and ongoing negotiations. Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade said revealing details of the government’s strategy could undermine efforts to secure the safe release of the victims.

Two days after the abduction, the kidnappers released a video 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 tragic and deeply painful.