Oyo Senator Warns Military Action Could Endanger Abducted Students
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, representing Oyo North, has cautioned that any military operation against kidnappers holding schoolchildren and teachers could result in the deaths of the hostages. Speaking on the security crisis in Oyo State, the senator emphasized that the abductors are using the victims as human shields, making direct attacks extremely dangerous.
Kidnappers Using Children as Human Shields
According to Senator Buhari, the kidnappers are highly mobile and frequently move with their captives through dense forests that span multiple states. This terrain gives the criminals an advantage and complicates rescue efforts by security forces. He stated, "If you decide to attack, you kill the 47 children; they will kill them or use them as human shields."
The senator explained that the forest environment makes it difficult for troops to locate and engage the kidnappers without endangering the hostages. He called for a more cautious approach, prioritizing intelligence-led operations over direct confrontation.
Call for Intelligence-Led Response
Senator Buhari urged authorities to focus on gathering intelligence to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers. He described the situation as deeply painful for the affected families, some of whom have already suffered losses due to the crisis. The senator assured that efforts are ongoing by security agencies to ensure the hostages' safety remains paramount.
In a related development, Paul Ibe, media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to invite Yoruba nation activist Sunday Igboho for questioning. Ibe suggested that Igboho may have information on individuals sponsoring kidnappers in Oyo State. He insisted that any credible intelligence should be fully explored to rescue the abducted students and teachers.
