The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has said bandits holding pupils and teachers kidnapped from schools in Oyo State have threatened to kill them if security forces try to rescue them.
Musa made this known in a preview of an interview with News Central released on Wednesday ahead of its NC Exclusive programme on Friday.
He said the kidnappers want the military to free some of their commanders currently in custody and are using the abducted children to pressure the government.
“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.
“Now they’re threatening that if we move any closer to take action against them, they’re going to kill all the kids,” Musa said.
His comments came 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 ways to tackle banditry and kidnapping, Musa supported the death penalty for convicted kidnappers and terrorists. He said stronger punishment is needed to stop such crimes.
His position is in line with recent calls by former Edo State governor and senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, who backed Monday Okpebholo’s proposal to introduce the death penalty for kidnappers and bandits in the state.
“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage. If they know once you commit an offence, there must be punishment,” Musa said.
