By Deborah Nnamdi
The terrorists holding teachers and pupils abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly presented four conditions for the release of the captives.
The abductors, who attacked schools in the Esinele, Yawota, and Alawusa communities on May 15, are said to be demanding the release of two detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, the provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of a Sharia-related law before the victims can regain their freedom.
According to reports, the commanders whose release is being sought are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam, Mahmud Al-Nigeri, or Mallam Mamuda.
The two men are identified as leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS), popularly known as Ansaru, a faction that split from Boko Haram. They are alleged to have played key roles in acts of terrorism across the country between 2013 and 2015 and have also been linked to the 2022 Kuje prison attack.
Usman and Abba were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently facing terrorism-related charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja in a case marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025. Their trial commenced on January 15, 2026.
Usman had earlier been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the same court on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to a charge of illegal mining, which he admitted was used to finance arms procurement for terrorism and kidnapping operations. He, however, denied 31 other charges and remains in the custody of the Department of State Services pending the conclusion of his trial.
His deputy, Abba, pleaded not guilty to all 32 counts preferred against him and is also standing trial before the court.
Reports also suggest that the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of ₦1 billion, allegedly to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin, although the figure has not been independently verified.
Security experts have expressed concern over the demands, warning that releasing detained terrorist leaders or paying ransom could have serious consequences for national security.
A retired Brigadier-General, Bashir Adewinbi, said the government faced a difficult situation, noting that conceding to the demands could strengthen terrorist groups and encourage future attacks.
Another retired Brigadier-General, Peter Aro, urged authorities to first establish proof that the abducted victims were still alive before making any decisions, stressing that prolonged captivity posed significant dangers, especially to the schoolchildren.
The Oyo State Government has declined to comment on the reported demands or ongoing negotiations. The Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said revealing details of the government’s approach at this stage could undermine efforts aimed at securing the safe release of the victims.
The abduction attracted national attention after the kidnappers released a video on May 17, two days after the attack, showing the killing of one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the teacher’s death on May 18, describing the incident as tragic and deeply painful while assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining captives and bring the perpetrators to justice.
