Musa: Bandits vowed to kill hostages if security forces moved in
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that bandits holding pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State threatened to kill the hostages if security forces attempted to rescue them. Speaking in a preview of an interview scheduled to air on News Central's NC Exclusive programme, Musa said the kidnappers were using the children as bargaining chips to pressure the military into releasing some of their commanders currently in custody. According to the minister, the armed group warned security agencies against moving closer to their hideout, threatening to execute all the captives if a rescue operation was launched. He explained that the abductors believe holding the children gives them leverage in negotiations, particularly because several of their senior members are being detained by the military. The comments come nearly eight weeks after gunmen storm Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, along with two other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachersduring the attack on May 15. Security agencies have continued efforts to secure the safe release of the victims while balancing the need to avoid actions that could endanger their lives. Addressing Nigeria's broader security challenges, Musa also advocated tougher penalties for banditry and kidnapping, arguing that stronger punishment is needed to discourage criminal activities.
He expressed support for the death penalty for convicted kidnappers and bandits, saying existing laws are not strict enough to deter offenders. According to him, criminals are often encouraged by what they perceive as weak consequences for their actions. Nigeria has witnessed a rise in school abductions and mass kidnappings in recent years, particularly in the northern and central regions, prompting renewed calls for stronger security measures, improved intelligence gathering and tougher legal sanctions against those responsible.
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