Three weeks after armed terrorists stormed three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and abducted pupils and teachers, the full extent of their demands has emerged — and they are alarming.
The abductors, who attacked schools in Esinele, Yawota, and Alawusa communities on May 15, are making four demands before they will free the captives: the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
Reports presented before the Oyo State House of Assembly indicate the kidnappers are demanding ₦1 billion, to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin.
The two commanders whose release is being sought are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, and his deputy Abubakar Abba — leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (Ansaru), a breakaway faction of Boko Haram. Both are currently standing trial on terrorism charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja, with the trial commencing January 15, 2026. Usman was previously sentenced to 15 years in prison for illegal mining, which he admitted was used to fund arms procurement for terrorism and kidnapping.
The crisis deepened when on May 17, the abductors released a video showing the beheading of one of the captive teachers, Mr. Michael Oladokun, a mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele. Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the killing on May 18, describing it as deeply painful.
The Oyo State House of Assembly has firmly rejected any negotiation with the abductors, with Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin warning that meeting such demands would only embolden future attacks.
The Oyo State Government has declined to comment publicly on the demands, with the Commissioner for Information describing such disclosures as “unhelpful” while rescue efforts continue.
Security forces remain actively in pursuit of the abductors as pressure mounts on federal and state authorities to secure the safe return of the remaining captives.
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