The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that the armed bandits who kidnapped pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State warned they would kill the victims if security personnel attempted to rescue them by force.
Musa made the disclosure in a preview of an interview with News Central released on Wednesday. The full interview is scheduled to air on the NC Exclusive programme on Friday.
According to the minister, the kidnappers are using the abducted children as bargaining chips in an effort to secure the release of some of their leaders 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.
“And now they’re threatening when we wanted to take action against them that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids,” he said.
His remarks come almost eight weeks after 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted during an attack on Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, along with two other schools in Esinle, both located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The incident occurred on May 15.
Addressing efforts to tackle the growing threat of banditry and kidnapping, the defence minister expressed support for imposing the death penalty on those convicted of such crimes, arguing that existing punishments are not severe enough to discourage offenders.
“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 added.
Newsmaxng had reported earlier that the minister warned troops to not wait for command before shooting terrorists whenever they sight them.