‘FG prioritising safe return of Oyo abducted pupils, teachers’

The federal government is giving priority to the safe return of the 39 schoolchildren and 7 teachers abducted from communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, top security sources said yesterday.

This is coming in the wake of a call by the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who urged Nigerians to support security agencies in the fight against terrorism, saying national security requires collective responsibility.

Abdulsalami had commended the armed forces for their resilience and called on citizens to unite against terrorism, warning that politicisation of security issues, propaganda and fake news only strengthen criminal groups.

One of the security sources involved in the efforts to bring back the Oriire abductees disclosed that troops and other security personnel are effectively monitoring the National Park forest area in Kwara State, where the abductees are believed to be held, as well as other victims in other parts of the country.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, when armed terrorists attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and two other schools in Esinle, abducting pupils and teachers.

Sources said security operatives have successfully restricted the terrorists’ movement by blocking possible escape routes and containing them within the forest.

Under increasing pressure and facing possible capture, the kidnappers recently killed one of the abducted teachers, apparently in an attempt to blackmail authorities and halt the rescue operation.

The terrorists had initially demanded the release of detained commanders, including senior Ansaru figures Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, who were arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) last year.

However, security sources said the kidnappers have reportedly dropped some of their earlier demands as security forces tighten the noose around them.

The source said intelligence had earlier uncovered plans by terrorists to target schools in the area, prompting preventive measures, including temporary school closures.

They added that sustained military operations against Boko Haram, Ansaru and ISWAP have forced many insurgents out of their traditional strongholds and into attacks on vulnerable communities.

According to the source, no fewer than 168 high-profile terrorist commanders have been neutralised in recent operations, while many others have been arrested or forced to flee into neighbouring countries.

The officer expressed confidence that ongoing offensives would ultimately defeat terrorism, saying security agencies would not relent until criminal groups are eliminated or forced out of the country.

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