Terrorists holding abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State have issued four major demands to the government before they will release the remaining hostages. The group, identified as members of Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (better known as Ansaru), a Boko Haram splinter group, attacked the remote communities of Esinele, Yawota, and Alawusa on May 15, 2026.
During the well-coordinated raid, seven teachers and 39 pupils were marched into the nearby Old Oyo National Park forest. Two days after the attack, the group released a harrowing video online showing the killing of Michael Oyedokun, a 57-year-old mathematics teacher at Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele. Governor Seyi Makinde later confirmed the tragedy and expressed his deepest condolences to the victim's family.
Four Demands of the Kidnappers
According to security sources, the abductors are demanding the following terms to free the remaining captives:
1. Release of Detained Terrorist Commanders
The group wants two of its high-profile leaders freed from state custody. The first is Mahmud Usman (also known as Abu Bara'a or Abbas Mukhtar), who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in September 2025 for illegal mining linked to terrorism financing. The second is his deputy, Abubakar Abba (alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri). Both men are currently facing separate terrorism trials in Abuja and have been linked to the notorious 2022 Kuje prison break.
2. N1 Billion Ransom Payment
The kidnappers are also demanding N1 billion. Reports say they want the money paid into a bank account in the neighbouring Republic of Benin, possibly to avoid tracking.
3. Operational Vehicles
They are requesting two brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicles as part of the conditions for releasing the hostages.
4. Sharia Law Implementation
The implementation of Sharia legal systems remains one of the core demands issued by the kidnappers. The group has also demanded the introduction of Sharia-based laws in the region. Sharia law refers to a system of Islamic legal and moral rules derived from the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad. It covers areas such as crime, family matters, finance, and daily conduct and is applied in different ways across some Muslim-majority regions. The demand has been strongly rejected by religious and community leaders in Oyo State.
Government and Security Response
Security experts have warned that meeting these demands, especially releasing convicted commanders, could worsen insecurity and encourage more attacks. The Oyo State Government says it will not disclose details of its response while rescue operations are ongoing. Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said revealing operational plans could affect efforts to secure the victims' release. The prolonged captivity has sparked public outrage, with protests from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and calls from the House of Representatives for urgent federal intervention.
