The Federal Government has explained why more than 50 days after the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, security forces have yet to launch a decisive rescue operation.
Minister of Defence Christopher Musa said the kidnappers threatened to kill the captives if troops moved closer to their hideout. He added that the abductors are demanding the release of some of their commanders currently in military custody, making negotiations and intelligence gathering critical to the rescue efforts.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15 after gunmen attacked schools in Ahoro-Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting 46 pupils and teachers. One of the victims, teacher Michael Oyedokun, was later killed by the abductors.
On the same day, suspected Boko Haram insurgents abducted more than 40 children from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
While rescue efforts continue, parents of the Borno pupils say they have received no official update on the fate of their children, urging the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their release.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards for Oyo State, ordered the deployment of a specialised rescue team, and directed security agencies to use both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to rescue the victims.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said intelligence indicates the abductees are being held within the Old Oyo National Park. He also revealed that a Nigerian Army lieutenant was killed during one of the rescue operations, underscoring the dangers confronting security personnel.
Security experts have called for greater investment in intelligence, drones, surveillance technology and artificial intelligence to improve Nigeria’s response to kidnapping and insurgency. They also urged the government to strengthen the capacity of security agencies and adopt more proactive measures to prevent future attacks on schools. Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.
