Families of abducted Oyo pupils and teachers are facing fresh fear after Defence Minister Christopher Musa said kidnappers threatened to kill the victims if security forces moved closer. The schoolchildren and teachers were taken on May 15, and the long wait for their rescue has increased anger among parents, teachers and Nigerians abroad, who are urging the government to act faster while avoiding steps that could put the captives in greater danger.
Musa made the disclosure in a preview of an interview with News Central, ahead of its broadcast on the NC Exclusive programme.
According to the minister, the armed men are using the abducted children as bargaining chips because some of their commanders are in military custody.
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“For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander,” he said.
He added that the kidnappers warned security forces against moving closer.
“And now they’re threatening when we wanted to take action against them that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids,” Musa said.
The minister’s comments come almost eight weeks after gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, alongside two other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
For families in the affected communities, each passing day has brought more pain and uncertainty. Many are asking why the children and teachers have not yet been brought home.
PrimeTimes spoke with Mrs Funmilayo, a resident of Oyo State and principal of a public secondary school, who expressed anger over the pace of the rescue effort.
She said it was painful that children could remain in captivity for more than weeks while their parents continue to wait without clear answers.
According to her, the abduction has created fear among pupils, teachers and parents across the state.
“It is no longer safe for children and staff to go to school,” she said. “The government should do more to bring back the children.”
Her concern reflects the fear now spreading through many school communities. Parents want to know that their children can attend school without becoming targets. Teachers also want stronger protection, especially in rural areas where security presence is often weak.
The case has also drawn concern from Nigerians outside the country.
Mrs Moblaji Akerelere, a United Kingdom-based media personality and former teacher in Ekiti State, told PrimeTimes that the government should stop giving excuses and make better use of modern technology to rescue the children.
She said it was difficult to imagine the trauma the pupils may be going through in captivity, as well as the emotional pain facing their parents.
According to her, kidnappers should not have better intelligence or better resources than the government.
She said that if politics is not allowed to interfere with security operations, the authorities should be able to find a way to rescue the children and bring the perpetrators before the law.
Her comments add to the growing frustration among Nigerians who believe that the state has a duty to protect children, teachers and schools from armed groups.
The Oyo school abduction has again raised questions about school safety in Nigeria. It also shows the difficult balance facing security forces when victims are being held by armed groups who may harm them if a rescue operation is not carefully handled.
Musa said the government is still working to secure the release of the victims. He also called for tougher punishment for kidnappers and bandits, including the death penalty for convicted offenders.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage,” he said.
His comments come amid wider concern over repeated attacks on schools and the use of mass abductions by criminal groups seeking ransom payments or concessions from the authorities.
For many residents, however, the main issue is not political debate. It is the safe return of the children and teachers.