The armed group responsible for the abduction of teachers and pupils from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has reportedly set four conditions for the release of the victims.
The kidnappers, who stormed schools in the Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, are said to be demanding the release of two detained terrorist leaders, payment of a ransom, the provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related legislation before they will free those in captivity.
According to reports, the two individuals whose release is being sought are Mahmud Usman, popularly known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, who is also known by the aliases Isah Adam, Mahmud Al-Nigeri and Mallam Mamuda.
Both men are said to be senior figures in Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS), commonly called Ansaru, a faction that broke away from Boko Haram. Authorities have accused them of supporting and facilitating terrorist activities in Nigeria between 2013 and 2015.
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The suspects have also been linked to the 2022 Kuje prison attack. They were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently facing terrorism-related charges before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Proceedings in the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, began on January 15, 2026.
Usman had earlier been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by Justice Nwite on September 11, 2025, after admitting guilt to a charge of illegal mining. He reportedly told the court that proceeds from the mining activities were used to purchase weapons for terrorist operations and kidnappings.
Although he pleaded guilty to the mining charge, Usman denied 31 additional counts and remains in the custody of the Department of State Services pending trial on those allegations.
His deputy, Abba, has rejected all 32 charges brought against him and is also standing trial before the same court.
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Separate reports have suggested that the abductors are additionally demanding a ransom of ₦1 billion, allegedly to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin. However, this claim has not been independently verified.
Security experts have cautioned against yielding to the demand for the release of the detained commanders, warning that such a move could have far-reaching consequences for national security.
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The Oyo State Government has remained silent on the reported demands and any ongoing negotiations. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said it would be “unhelpful” to reveal the government’s approach while efforts to secure the release of the victims continue.
Two days after the abduction, on May 17, the kidnappers released a video in which they claimed responsibility for the killing of one of the victims, Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele.
Governor Seyi Makinde later confirmed Oyedokun’s death in a statement issued on May 18, describing the incident as deeply painful.
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