Military Held Back As Bandits Threatened To Kill Abducted Oyo Schoolchildren – Defence Minister
The Federal Government has explained why the military did not immediately launch an assault on the bandits who abducted pupils and teachers from a school in Oyo State, saying the kidnappers threatened to kill the victims if troops advanced on their location.
Minister of Defence Christopher Musa said intelligence gathered during the operation showed that the armed group had warned security agencies against any rescue mission, forcing authorities to prioritise the safety of the captives over a direct military confrontation.
According to the minister, the abductors maintained contact with negotiators and repeatedly warned that any attempt by soldiers to storm their hideout would endanger the lives of the pupils and teachers in captivity.
Musa disclosed that the kidnappers also demanded the release of some of their detained members, insisting that the hostages would not be freed unless their conditions were met. He, however, stressed that the government remained focused on ensuring the victims were rescued safely without exposing them to greater danger.
He said security agencies continued to monitor the situation through intelligence gathering while exploring options that would guarantee the safe return of the abducted schoolchildren and their teachers.
The Defence Minister noted that military operations against terrorists and bandits across the country have continued despite the sensitive nature of the school abduction, adding that troops remain under instruction to protect civilians while dismantling criminal groups.
Musa assured Nigerians that the government had not abandoned efforts to secure the release of the victims and reiterated that the armed forces would continue sustained operations against criminal elements threatening lives and communities across the country.