The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that the bandits who abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State threatened to kill the victims if security forces moved closer to their hideout.
Speaking in a preview of an interview with News Central shared on Wednesday ahead of its broadcast on the NC Exclusive programme on Friday, Musa said the kidnappers were using the captives as bargaining chips to secure the release of their commanders currently in military custody.
According to him, the bandits believe holding the children hostage will pressure the government into releasing their detained leaders.
He said, “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.”
