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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, has revealed that the armed group holding dozens of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area is demanding weapons, money and concessions on future laws as conditions for the victims’ release.
Ogundoyin disclosed this while weighing the difficult choices facing governments confronted with mass abductions and demands from armed groups, amid growing public pressure for the safe return of the captives.
According to the Speaker, the conditions being demanded by the kidnappers go beyond the payment of ransom and raise serious concerns about the implications of negotiating with criminal groups.
“To bring these children and teachers back, if it is up to you, will you negotiate with terrorists if terrorists ask for weapons, they ask for money, they ask for concessions on future laws of this land as part of their ransom?” he asked.
The Speaker suggested that acceding to such demands could have far-reaching consequences for security and governance, warning that it could strengthen the operational capabilities of the kidnappers while weakening the authority of the state.
He further questioned whether public officials would be willing to accept such conditions if they were responsible for making the final decision.
“If you were the governor, will you accept those ransoms? Will you accept that those people should be accepted into that community?” he queried.
Ogundoyin also cautioned against a pattern of negotiations that could incentivise future attacks.
“The more you negotiate with these people, the more you embolden them,” he said.
His remarks come as anxiety continues to mount over the fate of pupils and teachers abducted during coordinated attacks on Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
The incident triggered widespread outrage across Oyo State and beyond, with parents, community leaders and civil society groups demanding urgent action to secure the victims’ freedom and improve security in vulnerable rural communities.
Three Weeks in Captivity
The victims have now spent about three weeks in captivity after heavily armed attackers stormed schools in Esiele and Yawota communities on May 15, 2026.
A total of 46 persons were reportedly abducted during the attacks, including seven teachers and 39 pupils and students. Among those taken away was a two-year-old child, highlighting the scale of the tragedy.
The assault also turned deadly, with at least two people killed during the raid, including a teacher and a commercial motorcyclist.
The abduction has renewed concerns over the growing threat posed by armed groups targeting schools and rural communities, a pattern that has become a major security challenge in several parts of the country over the last decade.
While security agencies and government authorities have continued efforts to secure the release of the victims, their prolonged captivity has heightened fears among families and residents, many of whom have repeatedly called for more decisive action to bring the children and teachers home safely.
Ogundoyin’s comments have also reignited the debate over whether governments should negotiate with kidnappers and terrorists, a question that has divided public opinion whenever mass abductions occur.
Supporters of negotiations argue that saving lives should remain the overriding priority, while opponents warn that making concessions to armed groups often encourages further kidnappings and strengthens criminal networks.
For the families of the Oriire victims, however, the immediate concern remains the safe return of their loved ones as efforts to end the crisis continue.