By Samuel Akpan
Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Musa has disclosed that bandits holding Oyo State school abductees have threatened to kill them should security forces attempt a rescue, aiming to use the captives to press for the freedom of their commanders currently held by the military.
The minister made the disclosure during an interview with News Central, a snippet of the conversation which was released to the public late on Wednesday.
Musa explained that the kidnappers see the abducted children as their main source of pressure on the authorities.
“For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us, and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander.
“Now they are threatening that if we move any closer to take action against them, they are going to kill all the kids,” he said.
The threat emerges nearly eight weeks after the May 15 abduction, when armed men stormed the Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota and two other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, seizing 39 pupils and seven teachers.
Two teachers and a motorcyclist were also killed by the bandits.
Beyond the current standoff, Musa also addressed broader efforts to tackle banditry and kidnapping nationwide.
He expressed strong support for death penalty for anyone convicted of kidnapping or terrorism, insisting that only harsh punishment can serve as a real deterrent.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” Musa stated.
The call for harsher penalties is gaining nationwide traction.
Notably, Edo North Senator Adams Oshiomhole has aligned with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s proposal, advocating for the death penalty as the ultimate punishment for banditry and kidnapping within Edo State.
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