Tracking Kidnappers Is Hard” — Lawmaker Speaks On Oyo School Abduction

According to Ireporter Online, the senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Abdulfatai Buhari, has revealed that the 47 pupils abducted by armed men in Oyo State are being used as human shields by their captors, complicating efforts by security forces to carry out a rescue operation.

Buhari warned that any direct military assault on the suspected hideout of the kidnappers could result in severe harm to the abducted children, stressing the need for extreme caution in handling the situation. The abduction, which occurred in parts of Ogbomoso and Oriire Local Government Areas, has continued to spark fear among residents and renewed concern over rising insecurity in the South-West.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, the senator explained that the kidnappers are not stationed in one fixed location, making it difficult for security operatives to track them effectively. He disclosed that the armed men moved the pupils into a dense forest and deliberately positioned them around themselves to prevent a direct attack.

Buhari described the situation as highly sensitive, noting that the kidnappers had effectively turned the children into protective barriers. He insisted that the operation could not be treated as a conventional military engagement due to the unpredictable movement of the suspects and the presence of the victims.

He further explained that the vast forest terrain where the abductors are believed to be hiding spans multiple states, including Oyo, Kwara, Niger, Kebbi, and Sokoto, and extends into border communities near Benin Republic and Niger Republic. According to him, the complexity of the terrain and its continuous stretch across regions have made surveillance and tracking extremely difficult.

The senator also alleged that some of the armed men operating within the forest corridor may be foreign nationals who move freely across the border areas, further complicating security efforts.

Buhari added that a Federal Government delegation had visited families affected by the attack, including relatives of a man who was killed during the incident, to offer condolences and reassurances. He noted that the delegation engaged with grieving families and expressed sympathy over the tragedy, while also appealing for patience as efforts to rescue the abducted pupils continue.

He maintained that the priority of authorities remains the safe return of the children, stressing that any hasty action could endanger their lives. The senator urged security agencies to adopt a careful and strategic approach in handling the operation.

The incident has deepened anxiety across affected communities in Oyo State, particularly in the Ogbomoso axis, where residents continue to demand stronger security presence and urgent action to secure the release of the kidnapped pupils.