Oyo kidnapping: Uncovering the militants' plan to thwart recovery efforts

Boko Haram terrorists, who abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, have been cornered inside the Oyo National Park, 36 days after the May 15 attacks.

n

The terrorists, members of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad, have intensified efforts to frustrate the rescue operation by planting Improvised Explosive Devices and frequently changing locations within the forest, according to sources familiar with the operation.

n

These sources disclosed that the terrorists have also orchestrated attacks in other parts of the country as a deliberate strategy to divert attention and stretch security resources deployed for the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers.

n

Despite mounting pressure from troops and other security operatives deployed in the forest, the terrorists have continued to fiercely resist rescue efforts, with the operation already claiming the lives of some soldiers.

n

The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Esiele, with no fewer than 42 pupils and teachers, including a principal, taken during the attacks.

n

One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed the following day by the terrorists in a bid to deter security operatives from advancing closer.

n

The terrorists have reportedly demanded the release of two of their commanders, Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also known as Mallam Mamuda, in exchange for the abducted pupils and teachers.

n

However, the government has maintained that it will not negotiate with the terrorists and has vowed to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers.

n

Security operatives familiar with the rescue operation told Saturday PUNCH that all possible exit routes from the forest had been manned by soldiers, making it difficult for the terrorists to move their victims out.

n

Soldiers trying to flush out the terrorists have come under attack on two occasions, resulting in the deaths of at least three personnel, according to security sources.

n

A security source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the forest’s difficult terrain and the terrorists’ tactics had slowed down the operation, with the terrorists planting IEDs everywhere and the military exploring professional methods to navigate the difficult areas.

n

The source added that some soldiers have been killed in the operation, with at least three personnel lost in shootouts, and two soldiers killed in the forest just two weeks ago, which has really slowed down the operation.

n

The terrorists change location almost every day to evade capture, according to the source, who noted that they know they are being monitored and that security operatives are everywhere, but they can’t leave the forest as they have been surrounded.

n

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, had earlier confirmed that some soldiers died during the ongoing rescue efforts, stating that a lieutenant in the Nigerian Army was killed two days ago while addressing protesters on Tuesday.

n

A former lawmaker in the state, who is knowledgeable about the rescue operation, told Saturday PUNCH that the terrorists’ commanders had intensified attacks in the northern part of the country to reduce the concentration of security operatives focused on the Oyo abduction.

n

The ex-lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the terrorists, who have been caged in the forest, were trying to stretch security personnel and thin out their presence in the Oyo National Park in a bid to escape.

n

He noted that the terrorists have deliberately increased the tempo of attacks on innocent citizens and communities just to distract the security operatives from forging ahead with the rescue operation.

n

A security source privy to the operation told Saturday PUNCH that the abductors’ use of the victims as human shields remained the biggest obstacle to a decisive rescue, as they are using their victims as shields, and the military doesn’t want a situation where they would begin to kill those children.

n

The source added that the abductors’ tactics differed from those of other criminal groups, complicating efforts to track and intercept them, and warned that a forced penetration might result in catastrophic collateral damage.

n

Retired Brigadier-General John Sura confirmed that the terrorists were stepping up attacks in other parts of the country to reduce pressure on those holding the Oyo pupils and teachers hostage, and urged security personnel not to be distracted.

n

Sura advised that the military concentrate its efforts on the rescue of the schoolchildren, while every other commander should raise the stakes in the surge and also in the defence of the people, and advocated giving community leaders more authority to manage their domains for better intelligence gathering and early response to threats.

n

He also advised the military to be tactical and employ precise operations in the rescue mission, and collaborate with NIGCOMSAT to provide real-time aerial footage of the thick forest terrain.

n

Another retired Brigadier-General, Bashir Adewinbi, noted that the terrorists had adopted new strategies to slow down the rescue operation, and lamented that they were becoming more sophisticated and better equipped.

n

Adewinbi warned that innocent people would suffer from the IEDs planted by the terrorists, turning parts of the forest into no-go areas, and advised security agencies to reduce heavy deployment of land forces and focus more on aerial surveillance.

n

He also called on the Federal Government to ensure speedy trial and execution of convicted terrorists, stating that any terrorist caught should be made to go through a speedy trial and executed upon conviction.

n

The Oyo State Government said it will not disclose any information on the rescue efforts other than what is officially authorised, with the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, stating that the government was being very careful with information so as not to jeopardise the lives of the abducted teachers and pupils.

n

A community leader in the area, who is closely following the rescue operation, disclosed that the soldiers were not permanently stationed inside the forest, and that they went back into the forest on Thursday, as the terrorists don’t stay in one location.

n

Saturday PUNCH findings revealed a surge in terrorist and bandit attacks across the country since the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, with attacks recorded in Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, and other states.

n

On the same day as the Oyo attack, members of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (Boko Haram) attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting about 42 pupils.

n

On May 21, bandits attacked Kurmin Bongo in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing five residents, and on May 30, the Katsina State Government announced the abduction of a former Army spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar (retd.), and his wife.

n

Abubakar later died in the kidnappers’ den on June 13, and on June 5, Boko Haram terrorists attacked a Nigerian Army base in Mandaragirau under 25 Brigade, Sector 2, in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State, killing five soldiers and three members of the Civilian Joint Task Force.

n

Between June 13 and 14, terrorists killed at least 17 farmers in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, and on June 17, nine people were killed in an attack by bandits on Angwan Magaji community in Kamaru Ward of Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

n

According to a police security report obtained by Saturday PUNCH, no fewer than 98 criminal incidents were recorded across the country within seven days last week, involving mass abductions, attacks on rural communities and kidnappings along major highways.

n

The incidents, reported across Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi and several other states, comprised 37 homicide cases, 27 banditry attacks, 24 kidnappings, eight armed robbery incidents and two terrorism-related attacks.

n

When contacted, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, declined to comment, stating that he had no comments to make.