The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has revealed that the bandits holding pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State threatened to kill the captives if security forces advanced on their hideout.
Musa made the disclosure in a preview of an interview with News Central, released on Wednesday ahead of the programme’s full broadcast on Friday.
He said the kidnappers were using the abducted children as bargaining chips to demand the release of some of their commanders currently in military custody.
“For whatever reason, they are looking for leverage because we have some of their commanders with us. They believe taking these children hostage and holding them to ransom will force us to release their commanders.
“When we considered taking action against them, they threatened that if we came any closer, they would kill all the children,” he said.
The comments come nearly eight weeks after gunmen abducted 39 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and two other schools in Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, on May 15.
Speaking on measures to curb banditry and kidnapping, the CDS also backed the death penalty for convicted perpetrators, arguing that stricter punishments are necessary to deter violent crimes.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are too soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know that once you commit an offence there will be punishment, it will serve as a deterrent,” he said.
