Kidnappers Outline Conditions for Release of Oyo Schoolchildren and Teachers

The armed men who abducted students and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have stated some conditions for the release of the victims.

The schools attacked are located in the communities of Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa, where gunmen struck on May 15, taking away students and teachers, reports said.

The gunmen reportedly made four main demands. They want the release of two terrorist leaders in custody, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles and acceptance of Sharia-related law.

The two men they are looking for are Mahmud Usman (Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar) and his deputy Abubakar Abba (Isah Adam, Mahmud Al-Nigeri or Mallam Mamuda).

Both are linked to Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan, or Ansaru, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram.

The group has been linked to a string of violent attacks in Nigeria, including the Kuje prison raid in 2022.

Security records indicate the suspects were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently on trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Usman has already been convicted of another charge of illegal mining, having pleaded guilty to using it to fund weapons for kidnapping and attacks.

He is still being held by the Department of State Services on other charges. His deputy has pleaded not guilty to a number of charges and is still on trial.

“They are also demanding for about ₦1bn to be transferred to an account in the Republic of Benin.”