There are strong indications that the 39 abducted schoolchildren and seven teachers from Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State may regain their freedom any time soon as security operatives intensify rescue efforts.
In fact, troops have blocked all possible escape routes to the National Park where the victims are being held Recall that on May 15, 2026, terrorists stormed three schools in Oriire council area, abducting 46 individuals.
However, multiple security sources, familiar with the issue, disclosed that troops and other security personnel involved in the rescue operation have surrounded a hideout within the National Park forest area, where the abducted pupils and teachers are believed to be held.
According to security sources, the terrorists have been “effectively contained within the forest”, with security operatives blocking possible escape routes and restricting their movement with the hostages.
It was further gathered that, following mounting pressure and the likelihood of capture, the terrorists have reportedly resorted to desperate tactics, including the recent gruesome killing of one of the abducted teachers, apparently in an attempt to blackmail authorities and halt the ongoing rescue operation.
The terrorists, it was gathered, initially presented four major demands, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of Sharia-related laws.
Among those whose release was demanded are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, both identified as senior members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a breakaway faction of Boko Haram.
They were arrested by operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS, last year.
