By Deborah Nnamdi
Boko Haram terrorists who abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly been trapped within the Oyo National Park, 36 days after the May 15 attacks.
Security sources involved in the ongoing rescue operation said the insurgents, identified as members of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, commonly known as Boko Haram, have intensified efforts to frustrate military operations by planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and frequently relocating within the forest.
The terrorists are also believed to be orchestrating attacks in other parts of the country as a strategy to divert security attention and stretch resources deployed for the rescue mission.
The abductors stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Esiele, on May 15, abducting at least 42 pupils and teachers, including a school principal.
One of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed a day after the abduction in what authorities believe was an attempt to discourage security forces from advancing into the forest.
Sources familiar with the operation said troops have sealed off possible escape routes, making it difficult for the terrorists to move their captives out of the area.
However, rescue efforts have faced significant challenges due to the difficult terrain, the presence of landmines, and repeated attacks on security personnel. At least three soldiers have reportedly been killed in separate confrontations with the insurgents.
A security source disclosed that the terrorists have planted explosives across parts of the forest, forcing troops to proceed cautiously.
“They have planted IEDs in several locations, and our men are using professional methods to navigate the terrain. We have lost personnel during the operation, but efforts are ongoing,” the source said.
According to the source, the terrorists frequently move their captives from one location to another to evade detection but remain unable to leave the forest because security forces have surrounded the area.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, recently confirmed casualties among security personnel participating in the rescue effort.
Addressing protesters earlier in the week, the governor revealed that a Nigerian Army lieutenant was killed during operations in the forest.
Another source familiar with the mission alleged that Boko Haram commanders had intensified attacks in northern Nigeria to reduce pressure on the group holding the Oyo victims.
The source said the terrorists hoped the increased violence elsewhere would force security agencies to redeploy personnel from Oyo, creating an opportunity for escape.
Security officials also identified the use of the abducted pupils and teachers as human shields as one of the biggest obstacles to a direct assault on the terrorists’ hideout.
According to a source, the insurgents have concentrated more than 200 fighters around the location where the victims are being held, increasing the risk of casualties if troops launch a full-scale attack.
The source warned that any exchange of gunfire could endanger the lives of the captives, making precision and restraint necessary during the operation.
A retired Nigerian Army officer, John Sura, said the increase in attacks across the country appeared to be a deliberate tactic aimed at diverting military attention from the rescue mission.
He urged security agencies to remain focused on rescuing the abducted pupils and teachers while simultaneously strengthening security operations in other affected areas.
Sura also called for improved intelligence gathering through closer collaboration with community leaders and recommended the use of satellite imagery and aerial surveillance to support the operation.
Another retired brigadier-general, Bashir Adewinbi, warned that the insurgents were becoming increasingly sophisticated, citing their deployment of explosives and ability to dominate difficult terrain.
He advised security agencies to rely more heavily on aerial surveillance while reducing excessive dependence on ground forces.
The Oyo State Government has maintained a cautious approach regarding public disclosures about the rescue mission.
Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said authorities would only release officially approved information to avoid jeopardising the safety of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Meanwhile, security reports indicate a rise in terrorist and bandit attacks across several states since the Oyo school abduction. Recent incidents have been recorded in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, and Edo states, involving killings, kidnappings, and attacks on communities and security formations.
A police security report reportedly documented 98 criminal incidents across the country within one week, including homicide cases, banditry attacks, kidnappings, armed robberies, and terrorism-related incidents.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, declined to comment on the ongoing operation.
