Fresh details have emerged regarding the conditions allegedly set by terrorists holding teachers and pupils abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims were kidnapped during coordinated attacks on schools in the Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15. According to reports, the abductors have presented a four-point demand, including the release of two detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The terrorist commanders whose freedom is reportedly being sought are Mahmud Usman, popularly known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, also known as Isah Adam, Mahmud Al-Nigeri or Mallam Mamuda.
Both men are senior figures in Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS), commonly known as Ansaru, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram. Authorities have linked them to several terrorism-related activities between 2013 and 2015, as well as the 2022 Kuje prison break.
The suspects were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently facing terrorism charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Their trial commenced on January 15, 2026.
Usman had earlier been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to illegal mining, which prosecutors said was used to finance arms procurement, terrorism and kidnapping operations. However, he remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) while standing trial on 31 additional charges.
His deputy, Abba, has pleaded not guilty to all 32 charges brought against him and remains on trial before the same court.
Reports also suggest that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of ₦1 billion, allegedly to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin, although the figure has not been independently verified.
Security experts have expressed concern over the demands. Retired Brigadier-General Bashir Adewinbi warned that releasing detained terrorist leaders or paying ransom could strengthen criminal networks, encourage future abductions and undermine national security efforts.
Similarly, retired Brigadier-General Peter Aro advised the government to first establish proof that the abductees are still alive before making any decisions. He noted that prolonged captivity poses serious dangers, especially for the young pupils among the victims.
The Oyo State Government has remained silent on the specifics of the demands and any ongoing negotiations. Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, stated that revealing the government’s strategy at this stage could jeopardise efforts to secure the safe release of the captives.
The incident took a tragic turn on May 17 when the abductors released a video showing the beheading of one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.
Governor Seyi Makinde later confirmed the killing, describing the development as heartbreaking and reaffirming the government’s commitment to securing the release of the remaining victims.
