The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said bandits holding abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State have threatened to kill the victims if security forces attempt a rescue operation.
The minister disclosed this in a preview of an interview with News Central, shared on Wednesday.
According to him, the kidnappers are using the abducted children as bargaining chips to secure the release of some of their commanders currently in military custody.
“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,” he said.
The minister’s comments came nearly eight weeks after armed men abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and two other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, on May 15.
Speaking on measures to tackle banditry and kidnapping, the minister endorsed the death penalty for convicted kidnappers and terrorists, arguing that stiffer sanctions were necessary to deter criminal activities.
“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,” he said.
The minister’s position echoes recent calls by former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, who backed Governor Monday Okpebholo’s proposal to impose the death penalty on convicted kidnappers and bandits in the state.
