Troops Block Escape Routes at Oyo National Park but 46 Hostages Remain Held

Troops have blocked all possible escape routes to the National Park in Oyo State where 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers abducted on May 15 remain held, AllAfrica reported. Security personnel have surrounded a hideout inside the forest area, effectively containing the terrorists and restricting their movement with the hostages.

The abductions took place across three schools in the Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities of Oriire Local Government Area, bringing the total number of victims to 46.

One of the abducted teachers was killed by the terrorists during the standoff. The kidnappers initially demanded the release of detained commanders including Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara'a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, both senior members of Jama'atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fi Biladis Sudan arrested last year by the Department of State Service.

They also sought ransom, two Hilux vehicles and implementation of Sharia-related laws.

Multiple security sources told AllAfrica that the terrorists have dropped some earlier demands and are now largely focused on securing ransom payment. The leader of the gang is an indigene of Oriire Local Government Area who lived among residents before becoming radicalised by the Ansaru group.

The affected communities lie close to Nigeria's border corridor toward Niger Republic and the Kainji axis.

Intelligence reports had previously uncovered plans by terrorists to attack schools in the area, leading to temporary closures of some schools. Sustained military operations have neutralised no fewer than 168 high-profile commanders from Ansaru, Boko Haram and ISWAP in recent months, with scores of others arrested, according to the same security sources.