Ansaru Kidnappers Of Oyo Schoolchildren Soften Demands As Troops Tighten Siege On Forest

Security agencies have intensified surveillance around the forest where abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are being held by suspected Ansaru terrorists, raising hopes that the victims may soon regain their freedom.

Sources familiar with ongoing security operations said the sustained pressure on the kidnappers has forced them to relax some of their initial demands.

The abductors had earlier demanded the release of key Ansaru leaders in custody but are now reportedly seeking ransom payments and the release of some lower-ranking members of the group.

Security sources disclosed that the terrorists were no longer insisting on the release of two prominent Ansaru commanders.

The leaders earlier demanded by the abductors were identified as Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri.

“The terrorists are no longer insisting on the release of two of their leaders in jail. They are asking for the release of less important members of their group under arrest and some ransom,” a security source told The Nation.

According to the source, there is growing optimism that the abducted victims, comprising 39 pupils and six teachers, could soon be rescued.

A seventh teacher who was kidnapped alongside the others was reportedly killed by the abductors.

Investigators believe the leader of the kidnapping gang is a northerner who was born in Ogbomoso and grew up in the Oriire area, giving him familiarity with the terrain.

“It is possible that he ran from Kogi when the heat was turned on them before moving to the kidnap of soft targets in Oriire and its environs, which he is familiar with having spent his early life there,” the source added.

The forest where the victims are believed to be held reportedly stretches from the Oyo National Park to parts of Kainji in Niger State.

“It is a thick forest. Through surveillance and intelligence-driven security operations, we are aware of their location,” the source said.

Meanwhile, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has called on Nigerians to support government efforts in tackling insecurity rather than politicising the issue.

In a statement released to mark his 84th birthday, Abdulsalami reflected on the country’s security challenges and urged citizens to unite against terrorism and violent crimes.

“As an officer of the Nigerian Army, the recent tragic death of General Rabbe, along with that of so many others, marks a defining moment for us as a country,” he said.

The former military leader acknowledged that many countries were facing economic and security difficulties but stressed that maintaining peace and order required collective effort.

“The armed forces and all other security agencies have been very strong in the fight against terrorism. But this is not their fight alone. Every citizen has a stake and it is my plea that Nigerians unite to fight against terror,” he stated.

Abdulsalami warned that political exploitation of security issues and the spread of misinformation were contributing to the country’s challenges.

“Over the years, politicisation of security matters has worsened the situation and this has brought us to where we are today. Let us join forces with government and security agencies at all levels to defeat these evil ones,” he said.

“Propaganda for political and other selfish gains is also giving oxygen to terrorist groups. The use of fake news on social media to propagate false narratives has served to encourage terrorists and other criminal groups.”

He urged the military and security agencies not to relent in their efforts while calling on government at all levels to continue taking decisive action against criminal elements.

“Nigeria is the only country we have. I joined the army to defend it with my life. I am a firm believer in a united and peaceful Nigeria,” Abdulsalami said.

“At my age, it was and is still my dream that we hand over to our children a united and prosperous nation.”