Oyo school abduction: Security forces corner kidnappers’ cell at national park

By Adeola Badru

Security forces have intensified efforts to rescue dozens of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State after intelligence reports identified key Boko Haram commanders allegedly linked to the kidnapping and revealed that the terrorists are now largely confined within the Oyo National Park.

The development came 36 days after gunmen stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15 and whisked away 42 pupils and education workers, including a school principal.

The victims were taken from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Esiele, in one of the most shocking school abductions recorded in the South-West.

Sources familiar with the ongoing rescue mission disclosed that troops and other security personnel have mounted sustained pressure on the insurgents, effectively cutting off routes believed to be available for escape from the forest.

Despite the security clampdown, the operation has faced stiff resistance from the terrorists, who have reportedly adopted sophisticated tactics to delay advancing forces and frustrate rescue efforts.

Military sources said the insurgents, identified as members of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, the faction widely known as Boko Haram, have littered parts of the forest with improvised explosive devices while frequently relocating the hostages to avoid detection.

The difficult terrain and the extensive use of explosive traps have slowed troop movements, while deadly encounters with the terrorists have already resulted in casualties among security personnel.

According to sources involved in the operation, at least three soldiers have been killed during separate clashes in the forest, including two personnel who reportedly died during an engagement in recent weeks.

One security operative who spoke anonymously, said troops have been forced to proceed with extreme caution because of the widespread deployment of explosives and the constant movement of the kidnappers.

According to the source, intelligence and surveillance indicated that the terrorists are aware they are being tracked and have responded by changing locations almost daily.

He, however, maintained that the insurgents have been unable to break through the security cordon around the forest.

Recall that the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had earlier confirmed that members of the armed forces participating in the rescue operation had lost their lives.

Speaking during an engagement with protesters earlier in the week, the governor disclosed that both soldiers and officers had died in the line of duty, including a lieutenant of the Nigerian Army.

Investigations further revealed that the terrorists are demanding the release of two senior Boko Haram figures as a condition for freeing the abducted pupils and teachers.

The commanders reportedly sought by the group are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, who is variously identified as Isah Adam, Mahmud Al-Nigeri and Mallam Mamuda.

Despite the demand, authorities have reportedly ruled out negotiations with the kidnappers, insisting that efforts remained focused on securing the safe return of the captives through ongoing security operations.

Intelligence sources also believed that recent attacks linked to Boko Haram in other parts of the country may not be unrelated to the pressure being mounted on the terrorists in Oyo.

A source familiar with the rescue effort said the insurgents appeared to have increased attacks elsewhere in a bid to stretch security resources and divert attention from the operation underway in the national park.

According to the source, the strategy is designed to create opportunities for the trapped terrorists to escape by forcing a reduction in the number of security personnel deployed around the forest.

He expressed confidence that the tactic would not succeed, noting that security forces have maintained a strong presence around all identified exit routes.

Another major challenge confronting the rescue mission is the reported use of the abducted pupils and teachers as human shields.

Security officials said the presence of the victims within terrorist camps has complicated military planning and limited the possibility of launching a full-scale assault.

One source explained that commanders are being careful to avoid actions that could place the hostages in immediate danger, warning that a direct firefight could expose the victims to stray bullets or provoke retaliatory killings by the abductors.

The source further disclosed that intelligence estimates suggested the terrorists have strengthened their ranks around the hostages, with more than 200 fighters believed to be operating within the area where the victims are being held.

Authorities also noted that the group’s methods differ significantly from those commonly employed by bandit groups and other criminal gangs, making surveillance and tracking operations more difficult.

Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has maintained a policy of strict confidentiality regarding the rescue mission.

Commissioner for Information in the state, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the government would continue to restrict public comments on the operation in order to avoid compromising efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers.

He stated that official information would only be released through approved channels, stressing that authorities remain cautious about any disclosure that could endanger the victims or affect operational success.

“We remain committed to our earlier position that all official updates regarding the operation will be communicated through a single authorised channel.“

“Given the sensitive nature of the situation, we are exercising the utmost caution in the information we release to the public.“

“Our primary concern is the safety and wellbeing of the abducted pupils and teachers, and we will avoid any disclosure that could compromise ongoing efforts to secure their safe return or place their lives at further risk,” he said.

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