Check Out the Demands of Oyo School Abductors

The terrorists who abducted teachers and pupils from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly issued four conditions for the release of their captives.

The attackers, who stormed schools in the Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, are demanding the release of two detained terrorist commanders, payment of a ransom, the provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related laws, according to reports.

The two commanders whose freedom the abductors are seeking are Mahmud Usman and his deputy, Abubakar Abba.

Both men are leaders of the terrorist group Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (Ansaru), a faction that broke away from Boko Haram. Authorities allege that they supported terrorist operations in Nigeria between 2013 and 2015 and were also linked to the 2022 Kuje Prison Break.

Security agencies arrested the pair between May and July 2025. They are currently facing terrorism charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025. Their trial began on January 15, 2026.

Usman had earlier been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by Justice Emeka Nwite on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to a charge of illegal mining. He admitted using proceeds from the activity to fund arms purchases for terrorism and kidnapping operations. However, he denied 31 other terrorism-related charges and remains in the custody of the Department of State Services pending trial.

Abba pleaded not guilty to all 32 counts filed against him and is also standing trial before the same court.

Reports further indicate that the Oyo school abductors are also demanding a ₦1 billion ransom, allegedly to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin. However, this figure has not been independently verified.

Security experts have warned against conceding to the demands of the Oyo school abductors. Retired Brigadier-General Bashir Adewinbi said the government faces a difficult dilemma, cautioning that paying ransom or releasing terrorist commanders could strengthen criminal networks and finance future attacks.

Another retired Brigadier-General, Peter Aro, urged authorities to first establish proof that the abductees are still alive before making any decisions. He warned that prolonged captivity could have severe consequences, especially for the children among the victims.

The Oyo State Government has declined to comment on the reported demands or ongoing negotiations. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said it would be “unhelpful” to disclose the government’s strategy while efforts to secure the victims’ release continue.

The crisis deepened on May 17 when the Oyo school abductors released a video showing the beheading of one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the killing on May 18, describing the development as deeply painful while assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining captives.