Terrorists suspected to be members of Boko Haram have reportedly intensified efforts to frustrate ongoing rescue operations for abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oyo State, allegedly planting improvised explosive devices and frequently shifting positions within the forest in a bid to avoid being tracked.
Security sources say the abductors are operating within the vast forest area of Oyo National Park, where they have remained for about 36 days following the May 15 abduction of 42 pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.
According to The Punch, the group—believed to be members of Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad—has continued to frustrate military advances through booby traps and movement across different hideouts within the forest.
A security source involved in the operation said troops are facing significant risks due to the explosives laid along suspected routes.
“They have planted IEDs everywhere and our men are exploring professional methods to navigate the difficult areas,” a security source said.
The same source added that the operation has already recorded casualties among security personnel during encounters with the gunmen.
“Some soldiers have been killed in the operation. There have been shootouts on two occasions. The military lost three personnel in those shootouts,” the source added.
The pupils and teachers were abducted during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, L.A. Primary School, and Community Grammar School, Esiele, all within Oriire LGA on May 15.
One of the abducted teachers, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed a day after the attack.
Reports also indicate that the abductors are demanding the release of two of their commanders, Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba, in exchange for the hostages.
However, authorities have maintained their position against negotiating with the group.
Security forces say all exit routes from the forest have been sealed, limiting the movement of the terrorists and preventing them from relocating the victims outside the area.
“They know they are being monitored and that security operatives are everywhere. So, they move their victims from one place to another. But they can’t leave the forest. They have been surrounded,” another security source said.
A former lawmaker familiar with the operation claimed the attackers are also escalating violence in other regions to distract attention from the rescue mission.
“From intelligence reports, we got to know that the terrorists deliberately increased the tempo of attacks on innocent citizens and communities just to distract the security operatives from forging ahead with the rescue operation,” he said.
Another source further alleged that the captives are being used as human shields, complicating direct military engagement.
“They’re using their victims as shields, and we don’t want a situation where they would begin to kill those children,” the source said.
Retired Brigadier-General John Sura described the pattern of attacks as a calculated effort to overstretch security agencies and divert focus from the rescue effort.
“The issue of the sudden surge all over the place is to re-engage the thinking of the country, both the politicians and the military, from concentrating their efforts on these kidnappers of the schoolchildren,” Sura said.
Meanwhile, the government of Oyo State has maintained that it is limiting public disclosures on the operation to avoid endangering the lives of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said authorities are being careful with communication regarding the rescue effort.
“We are being very discreet in what we say, so that we will not put the lives of the teachers and pupils in jeopardy,” he said.
