Gunmen who abducted pupils and teachers from three communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have reportedly presented a list of demands as negotiations for the victims’ release continue.
The victims were taken during attacks on schools in the Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15. The incident sparked concern among residents and raised fresh fears over insecurity in parts of the state.
According to reports, the kidnappers are demanding the release of two men currently facing terrorism-related charges. They are also seeking a large ransom payment, two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of a Sharia-related legal arrangement as part of the conditions for freeing the captives.
The two individuals the gunmen want released have been identified as Mahmud Usman and his deputy, Abubakar Abba. The men are also known by several aliases, including Abu Bara’a, Abbas Mukhtar, Isah Adam, Mahmud Al-Nigeri and Mallam Mamuda.
Security authorities have linked both suspects to Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan, commonly known as Ansaru, an extremist group that split from Boko Haram several years ago.
Ansaru has been associated with a number of violent incidents across Nigeria, including the attack on the Kuje Correctional Centre in 2022.
Records from security agencies indicate that the two suspects were arrested between May and July 2025. They are currently being prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Abuja over various terrorism-related allegations.
Mahmud Usman was separately convicted for illegal mining after reportedly admitting that proceeds from the activity were used to purchase weapons and support kidnapping operations. Despite that conviction, he remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) as other cases against him continue.
His deputy, Abubakar Abba, has denied the charges filed against him and is still standing trial.
In addition to demanding the release of the two suspects, the abductors are reportedly seeking about ₦1 billion in ransom. Reports indicate that the money is expected to be transferred to a bank account located in the Republic of Benin.
Authorities have not yet publicly commented on the demands, while efforts to secure the safe return of the kidnapped pupils and teachers continue. GWG.
