The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has stated that the bandits responsible for abducting pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State have warned they will kill the hostages if security personnel launch a rescue mission.
Musa made the disclosure in a preview of an interview with News Central, released on Wednesday before its full broadcast on the NC Exclusive programme scheduled for Friday.
According to the minister, the kidnappers are using the abducted children as leverage to negotiate the release of some of their commanders who are currently being held by the military.
“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’re threatening that if we move any closer to take action against them, they’re going to kill all the kids,” Musa said.
The minister’s remarks come nearly eight weeks after gunmen kidnapped 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, along with two other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, during the May 15 attack.
Addressing strategies to combat banditry and kidnapping, Musa expressed support for imposing the death penalty on individuals convicted of kidnapping and terrorism, maintaining that stricter punishment is essential to discourage such crimes.
His stance is consistent with recent appeals by former Edo State governor and current senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, who backed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s proposal to introduce the death penalty for kidnappers and bandits in Edo State.
“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 said.
