Horror in Oriire: Rescued Oyo Principal Reveals Abductors Killed Colleagues Amid Ransom Demands

Residents of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State are experiencing relief following the successful rescue of 44 pupils and teachers from their kidnappers after 56 days in captivity. The victims, abducted on May 15 from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, were held in the National Park forest until their rescue on July 10 through a coordinated operation involving the military and the Department of State Service (DSS).

The rescue operation involved fierce and prolonged gun battles with the abductors, who had initially used the victims as human shields. Security sources indicated that weeks of sustained troops' onslaught significantly impacted the terrorists' armoury and morale, leading to reduced resistance during the final assault. No fewer than eight terrorists were apprehended, and many were killed, weakening their stronghold.

A critical factor influencing the tactical approach of the security agencies was the tragic death of Major General Abubakar Rabbe in Katsina State during prolonged negotiations with his abductors. This incident prompted a paradigm shift in security strategy, favoring decisive military intervention over protracted negotiations, especially with heavily armed terrorist groups. The DSS had previously recommended a military assault for General Rabbe, which was initially overruled in favor of negotiations, leading to his unfortunate death due to medical complications in captivity.

Following this revised strategy, and after weeks of well-coordinated synergy and intelligence gathering, operatives of the DSS tracked down and arrested several wives and children of the kidnappers in various communities and cities. These family members were taken to Abuja for interrogation, and video recordings of these interrogations were reportedly leaked to the kidnappers. This tactic proved effective, causing the kidnappers to abandon their initial hardline position, become more responsive, and rethink their demands, as harming the hostages could have jeopardized their own arrested relatives. This approach aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s new policy against paying ransom or negotiating with terrorists.

The kidnappers, identified as a faction of Boko Haram linked to al-Qaeda known as Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), initially demanded the release of detained commanders Mahmud Usman (Abu Bara’a) and Abubakar Abba (Isah Adam), a ransom, two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related laws. However, intelligence gathered just before the final operation confirmed that the abducted schoolchildren and teachers were no longer being used as human shields, prompting the swift, precise, and overwhelmingly powerful storming of the camp on Thursday night.

Mrs. Alamu, the school principal and one of the rescued victims, recounted the harrowing 56 days in captivity. She described it as a painful ordeal filled with fear, uncertainty, and constant threats. The abductors subjected them to psychological torture, repeatedly asserting that the government had abandoned them. Tragically, two captives, Mr. Michael and Deacon, were killed by the kidnappers to intensify pressure on the authorities. Despite the ordeal, Mrs. Alamu expressed immense gratitude to God, President Bola Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, the security agencies, and all Nigerians who prayed for their safe return, noting that the victims only realized the extent of public concern after their freedom.

In a separate, recent incident, Mr. Owoade Matthew Kolawale, a headmaster from Oyo State, was kidnapped on a Saturday while returning from his farm at Budo Aare in Itesiwaju Local Government Area. His son, Mr. Owoade Abiola, confirmed that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N30 million. A search team recovered the victim’s motorcycle abandoned in a bush the following day, a Sunday, July 12. The incident has caused significant concern among his family, colleagues, and the education community, who have appealed to security agencies and the public for assistance in securing his release. The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed ongoing efforts to apprehend the kidnappers and ensure Mr. Kolawale's safe return.