There are indications that communication has opened toward securing the release of abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that a highly placed government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity with The Nation, because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said the abductors requested to speak only with Governor Seyi Makinde, the Commissioner of Police or a top government official.
The source said the Department of State Services (DSS), through the Office of the National Security Adviser, had been handling the communication.
According to the source, the abductors had not made any specific demand for the release of the 32 victims still in captivity.
It was also gathered that the police had arrested more persons from the forest in addition to the eight earlier in custody.
The source, however, said he could not confirm the exact number to avoid being misquoted, but added that the figure could be up to 15.
Another source said Makinde had set up an operations room at the Oyo State Police Command headquarters in Eleyele to ensure coordination among security agencies.
The source said service commanders were monitoring field activities from the operation room.
Security operatives were also said to have deployed air assets to obtain live feeds from the forest.
The source said, “Air assets have been deployed to monitor the place. The assets are drawn from the police, army, airforce and DSS.
“The police have deployed more tactical squads, including Intelligence Response Team, Special Intervention Squad and Police Mobile Operations.”
Sources said security operatives were in high spirits and ready to storm the forest, but had been slowed down by the presence of mines and improvised explosive devices on the route.
The abductors were also said to be using the victims, especially children, as human shields.
“They have been limited to a particular location within the forest. The entire place has been laid with mines and IEDs indicating that the kidnappers have been in the forest for a long time,” a source said.
The source alleged that before the incident, some security operatives had approached the governor for funding for a forest clearance operation, which was approved, but the job was allegedly not properly done.
“Some security operatives were with the governor earlier before the incident on a clearance operation which was funded by the governor, but it seems the job wasn’t thorough,” the source added.
Govt Funding Operations
A top source said Makinde was ready to provide whatever was needed to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.
The source said the governor had been paying allowances to operatives, including local vigilantes, and also funding the aircraft deployed for the operation.
“He has also been fueling the aircraft being used as an air asset for the operations. He has not denied any support. The bandits are using the children as human shields,” the source said.
A source also disclosed that the video showing the killing of a Mathematics teacher had been submitted for forensic analysis by the police.
The source said the manner in which the video was recorded, edited and circulated raised concerns.
The source added that the government and security agencies were being careful about releasing information publicly so as not to make the kidnappers more desperate.
“In no distant time the captives will be released safely and unhurt,” the source said.
The source added that the Inspector-General of Police had deployed two additional mobile units to strengthen the operation.
DHQ Deploys Special Forces
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, had ordered the deployment of special forces and aerial surveillance assets to Oyo State.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this during a press conference at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Onoja said the intensified operation was aimed at rescuing the victims, arresting the perpetrators and restoring security in affected communities.
He said, “The Defence Headquarters explicitly acknowledges the recent kidnapping incident reported in Oyo State.
“The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, extends his heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the affected families, the government and the good people of Oyo State, reaffirming that the Armed Forces of Nigeria view any threat to civilian peace as an intolerable affront to national sovereignty.”
The Defence Headquarters had earlier said the attackers were suspected members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad, a Boko Haram faction displaced from its strongholds in the North-East.
Onoja said the CDS had directed reinforced security operations in the affected areas in collaboration with state authorities.
“In immediate response, the CDS directed a comprehensive security reinforcement across the general area, utilising advanced aerial surveillance assets and mobilising specialised ground forces in close coordination with state authorities.
“Proactive operational steps are already yielding valuable intelligence, and troops will maintain a relentless posture until the perpetrators are brought to account and the region’s security is restored,” Onoja added.