Oyo School Kidnappers Open Talks With State Government as Families Fear for Victims

Suspected terrorists responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oyo State have reportedly opened communication channels with the state government, raising cautious hope for the possible release of victims held in captivity for more than a week.

Highly placed sources familiar with the situation told journalists that the kidnappers insisted they would only negotiate directly with the Oyo State Government and refused to communicate with relatives of the victims.

According to one of the sources, the abductors specifically demanded to speak only with Governor Seyi Makinde or representatives of the state government.

“They said they only want to talk to the governor and nobody else,” the source disclosed.

The source added that details of the discussions and the demands allegedly made by the kidnappers were being kept secret to avoid endangering the lives of the captives.

Another source familiar with the rescue efforts said security agencies remained cautious because of the risks involved in carrying out direct operations in the difficult forest terrain where the victims are believed to be held.

“It is not that security agencies don’t know what to do. But the risks are too high. The relief is that at least now, they are talking,” the source said.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the state government yielded limited response.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Abayomi Fagbenro, declined to provide details on the negotiations.

“I can’t give any information at the moment,” he reportedly stated.

The victims were abducted last Friday during coordinated attacks on schools in Esinele, Yamota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

The attackers invaded the schools in broad daylight, killing a teacher and abducting pupils, teachers and school administrators before fleeing into forest areas around the Old Oyo National Park axis.

The incident shocked residents and renewed concerns about the growing spread of kidnapping and violent criminal activities into South-West Nigeria.

Families of the victims and community leaders say anxiety has worsened as the rainy season intensifies, making movement through forests and remote terrain increasingly dangerous for the abducted children and teachers.

Particular concern has focused on toddlers reportedly among the victims, some said to be as young as two and three years old.

Sources within the affected communities alleged that the kidnappers have been constantly moving the victims through thick forests and across state boundaries in an attempt to evade security forces.

Security operatives, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and the Amotekun Corps, have continued search-and-rescue operations in the area.

Authorities previously stated that the abductors had been trapped within parts of the Old Oyo National Park after joint security teams blocked possible escape routes into neighbouring states.

The kidnapping crisis has sparked national outrage and renewed debate over the security of schools in rural communities.

Analysts warn that criminal groups displaced from northern conflict zones are increasingly exploiting forests and weak security coverage in parts of southern Nigeria.

Residents of the affected communities have continued to appeal to the government to secure the safe release of the victims before conditions in captivity worsen further.

Punch