By Abigail David
The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that bandits who abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State threatened to kill the victims if security forces moved closer to their hideout.
Speaking in a preview of an interview with News Central, scheduled to air on Friday, Musa said the kidnappers were using the children as bargaining chips to demand the release of some of their commanders currently in military custody.
According to the minister, the bandits warned that any attempt by troops to rescue the captives through force would result in the execution of all the abducted children.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15 when armed men invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and two other schools in Esinle, located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers.
Musa also called for tougher punishment for bandits and kidnappers, expressing support for the death penalty as a deterrent against rising insecurity.
He argued that weak laws have encouraged criminal activities, stressing that offenders must face severe consequences to discourage others from engaging in kidnapping and banditry.
