Oyo Abduction: Afenifere Warns Against Acceding to Terrorists’ Demands as Troops Tighten Siege

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has warned the Federal Government against yielding to the demands of terrorists responsible for the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, insisting that doing so would embolden criminal groups and further threaten national security.

The warning follows the May 15 attack on schools in Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area, where gunmen abducted at least 39 pupils and seven teachers.

Initial reports suggested that the abductors demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, the provision of two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws in Oyo State.

However, one of the kidnapped teachers, in a viral video, denied reports that the abductors demanded the introduction of Sharia law, stating that their primary demand was the release of detained commanders.

Among those reportedly sought by the kidnappers are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri.

Both men are identified as senior members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a breakaway faction of Boko Haram. They were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services in 2025 following intelligence reports linking them to terrorist activities in the North-East.

Recent reports, however, indicate that the terrorists have now shifted their focus largely to ransom payments from the victims’ families.

Reacting to the development, Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi, said the government should reject any attempt to negotiate with terrorists on terms that reward criminality.

“The idea of paying ransoms and acceding to sundry other demands of bandits and terrorists should not occur,” Ajayi said.

He described it as unfortunate that criminal groups now feel confident enough to dictate terms to the government.

“What can be reasonable in the demands that terrorists would make other than ones that would further imperil society?” he asked.

Ajayi argued that yielding to such demands would encourage more kidnappings, undermine public confidence in government and worsen insecurity across the country.

He recalled that the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, discourages ransom payments and provides legal frameworks for combating terrorism, terrorist financing and the proliferation of weapons.

He urged authorities to fully implement the law, particularly by identifying and prosecuting sponsors of terrorism.

Meanwhile, security sources disclosed that troops and other personnel involved in the rescue mission have reportedly surrounded a suspected hideout within the Old Oyo National Park forest where the abducted victims are believed to be held.

The sustained military operations have raised hopes that the victims may soon be rescued as pressure continues to mount on the terrorist group.