Kidnappers Set Conditions for Release of Oyo Schoolchildren, Teachers 

The armed men responsible for abducting students and teachers from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have put forward a set of demands as preconditions for freeing the captives.

The schools attacked are in Esinele, Yawota, and Alawusa communities, where the gunmen struck on May 15 and took away students and teachers.

According to THE PUNCH, the gunmen have listed four main demands. They want the release of two detained terrorist leaders, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles, and acceptance of Sharia-related law.

The two men they are demanding include Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy Abubakar Abba, also known as Isah Adam, Mahmud Al-Nigeri or Mallam Mamuda.

Both are linked to Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan, also called Ansaru, a breakaway group from Boko Haram.

The group has been tied to several violent attacks in Nigeria, including the 2022 Kuje prison attack.

Security records show the suspects were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Usman has already been convicted on a separate charge of illegal mining after admitting it was used to fund weapons for kidnappings and attacks.

He is still in the custody of the Department of State Services while other charges are ongoing. 

His deputy has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts and remains on trial.

The kidnappers are also reportedly asking for about ₦1bn, which they want sent to an account in the Republic of Benin.