Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has revealed that bandits who abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State threatened to kill the captives if security forces advanced towards their hideout.

Musa disclosed the development in a preview of an interview with News Central, released ahead of the full broadcast of the NC Exclusive programme on Friday.

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The minister said the kidnappers were using the children as leverage in an attempt to pressure authorities into releasing 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 and they feel taking these kids and holding them to ransom will make us release their commander,” Musa said.

He added that the abductors issued a warning when security agencies planned further action against them.

“And now they’re threatening when we wanted to take action against them that if we come any closer, they’re going to kill all the kids,” 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.

The abduction has renewed concerns over the safety of schools and the growing challenge of kidnapping across parts of Nigeria.

Speaking on measures to tackle banditry, Musa supported the introduction of tougher punishments for kidnappers, including the death penalty, arguing that stronger deterrence was needed.

“I think we should do that. There must be deterrence. The laws are soft, and that’s why people take advantage,” he said.

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Security agencies have continued efforts to secure the release of abducted victims while investigating the activities of criminal groups operating across affected regions.