Oyo School Abduction: Speaker Reveals Terrorists Demanding Weapons, Cash and Legal Concessions for Hostages' Release

 

The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, has disclosed that terrorists responsible for the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are demanding weapons, money, and concessions on future Nigerian laws as conditions for the victims' release.

Ogundoyin made the revelation while contributing to discussions on the growing security challenges facing the country and the controversial issue of negotiating with kidnappers and terrorist groups to secure the freedom of abducted victims.

According to the Speaker, the demands made by the abductors extend beyond financial ransom and include requests that could strengthen the operational capacity of the criminal groups and potentially undermine the country's legal and security frameworks.

Speaking on the matter, Ogundoyin questioned whether government authorities should consider such demands in exchange for the safe return of the abducted children and teachers.

“To bring these children and teachers back, if it is up to you, will you negotiate with terrorists if terrorists ask for weapons, they ask for money, they ask for concessions on future laws of this land as part of their ransom?” he asked.

He further challenged public opinion on the issue, saying, “If you were the governor, will you accept those ransoms? Will you accept that those people should be accepted into that community?”

The Speaker warned that yielding to the demands of terrorist groups could have dangerous consequences for national security, arguing that negotiations and concessions often embolden criminal elements and encourage further attacks.

“The more you negotiate with these people, the more you embolden them,” Ogundoyin stated.

His comments come amid heightened concern over the abduction of pupils and teachers during attacks on Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15. The incident sparked widespread condemnation across Oyo State and beyond, with parents, community leaders, and civil society groups calling on security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and prevent future attacks on schools.

The latest development has renewed national debate over the government's approach to tackling terrorism, kidnapping, and mass abductions, particularly in vulnerable rural communities where schools have increasingly become targets of armed groups.

Security agencies have yet to provide detailed information on ongoing rescue operations, but authorities have continued to assure the public that efforts are being made to secure the safe release of all those abducted.