The abductors of teachers and pupils from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly made a four-point demand before they will free the captives.
According to media reports, the abductors, who attacked schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, are reportedly demanding the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law, reports.
The two commanders whose release is reportedly being sought are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also called Mallam Mamuda.
The two terrorists are leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan, JAMBS, also known as Ansaru — a breakaway faction of Boko Haram — and are alleged to have aided and abetted acts of terrorism in the country between 2013 and 2015.
The two were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently standing trial on terrorism charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, with their trial commencing on January 15, 2026.
Usman was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to one count of illegal mining — which he admitted he used to fund arms procurement for terrorism and kidnapping.
He denied 31 other counts and remains in DSS custody pending trial on those charges.
His deputy, Abba, pleaded not guilty to all 32 counts and is also standing trial before the same court.
Unconfirmed reports also claimed that the terrorists are demanding a ransom put at ₦1bn, which is to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin.
Security analysts have warned that releasing the commanders would pose serious risks to national security.
Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has declined to comment on the demands or the state of negotiations, with the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, saying it would be “unhelpful” to disclose the government’s strategy while efforts to secure the victims’ release were ongoing.
On May 17, two days after the attack, the abductors released a video showing the beheading of one of the kidnapped teachers, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.
Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the killing in a statement on Monday, May 18, describing it as deeply painful.
