Terrorists Open Talks, Issue Conditions for Release of Abducted Oyo School Children

The armed terrorists behind the recent coordinated attacks on three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have officially broken their silence and established communication channels with state authorities to lay down conditions for the victims' release.

The group launched an early morning raid on schools across Esinele, Yamota, and Alawusa communities, leaving one teacher dead and abducting over 45 individuals, including young pupils and at least seven teachers. Security agencies have since launched an intensive tracking operation, trapping the cell inside the dense terrain of the Old Oyo National Park.

While security officials have confirmed that communication lines are now active, the specific demands being made by the bandit group are being kept under strict confidentiality.

The sensitive nature of the standoff is shaped by several operational factors:

• Preventing Escalation: Government negotiators and security agencies are keeping the terrorists' specific terms confidential to prevent panic and avoid compromising the safety of the children and teachers.
• High-Risk Tactical Environment: Insiders acknowledge that while tactical teams have isolated the perimeter around the national park, executing a direct kinetic rescue operation carries an incredibly high risk of crossfire or collateral damage to the hostages.
• Evolving "Ransom Economy": The incident has drawn widespread national condemnation from the Senate and civil society groups, who warn that the deliberate targeting of schools as financial bargaining chips poses a severe threat to basic education across the region.

Amid the tension, the Oyo State Police Command has issued a strong warning to the public regarding false narratives circulating on social media claiming that the hostages had already been freed.

Governor Seyi Makinde and state security councils reaffirmed that while joint task forces, including the military, police, and local hunters, remain deeply embedded in the forest tracking the abductors, no physical rescue or release has occurred yet. Authorities are urging communities to rely strictly on official updates as negotiators work to leverage the newly opened communication channels for a safe, bloodless resolution.