Nigeria’s Minister of Defence Staff, Christopher Gwabin Musa, has explained that troops exercised restraint during efforts to rescue abducted victims in Oyo State after the kidnappers allegedly threatened to kill the children if security forces advanced.
Speaking on the incident, General Musa said the armed group warned soldiers against moving closer to their location.
“They threatened that if we come closer, they are going to kill all the kids,” he said.
The Defence Minister’s comments were aimed at explaining the operational challenges faced by security forces during rescue efforts, highlighting the difficult decisions involved when the lives of hostages are at immediate risk.
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His remarks have since generated reactions on social media, with some Nigerians questioning the military’s handling of the operation and expressing concern over the prolonged captivity of the abducted children.
One social media user criticised the situation, arguing that the military should have adopted alternative rescue strategies rather than allowing the kidnappers’ threats to halt the operation.
The user also expressed fears about the condition of the victims, noting that they had reportedly been held captive for nearly two months.
The military has yet to provide further details on ongoing efforts to secure the safe release of the remaining captives.