Gunmen who abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly set conditions for the release of their victims.
The attackers invaded schools in the Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, abducting several students and teachers during the coordinated assault.
According to reports, the kidnappers have presented four major demands. They are seeking the release of two detained terror suspects, payment of a ransom, the provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related legal provisions.
The suspects whose release is being demanded are Mahmud Usman, popularly known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, who is also known by aliases including Isah Adam, Mahmud Al-Nigeri and Mallam Mamuda.
Both men are believed to be members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (Ansaru), an extremist group that splintered from Boko Haram. The group has been linked to a number of violent operations across the country, including the attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre in 2022.
Security records indicate that the two suspects were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently facing terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Usman was previously convicted in a separate illegal mining case after admitting that proceeds from the activity were used to finance the procurement of weapons for kidnappings and other criminal operations. He remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) while facing additional charges.
His deputy, Abubakar Abba, has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts and is still undergoing trial.
In addition to seeking the release of the two suspects, the kidnappers are reportedly demanding about ₦1 billion as ransom. Reports further indicate that the money is to be transferred into an account located in the Republic of Benin.
Authorities have yet to issue an official response to the reported demands as efforts continue to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
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