Oyo: The Kidnappers Warned Military Not To Get Closer, That Was When They Knew They'll Kill-Darlington Umoru

According to an interview aired on TVC News on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, Security Consultant and Public Affairs Analyst Darlington Umoru said kidnappers holding abducted schoolchildren in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State threatened to kill the hostages if security forces continued advancing toward their hideout.

Speaking on the challenges of the rescue operation, Umoru explained that such threats illustrate the complexity of hostage rescue missions, where security agencies must balance the need to apprehend criminals with the responsibility of protecting innocent lives.

"You recall that at a point in time, the kidnappers warned the military that if you get closer again. That was when they first sensed that they will kill everybody who needed to be killed to discourage you," Umoru said.

He noted that kidnappers frequently use such threats as a tactic to slow or deter security operations. According to him, criminal groups often use hostages as human shields in an attempt to force security personnel to abandon or delay rescue efforts.

Umoru commended the security agencies for maintaining their focus despite the threats, stating that the operation required patience, intelligence gathering, and strategic planning to avoid unnecessary casualties.

He said the eventual rescue of the abducted teachers and pupils demonstrated the professionalism and restraint exercised by the military and other security agencies involved in the mission.

According to Umoru, the operation underscored the importance of intelligence-driven tactics in hostage situations, where the safety of victims must remain the highest priority while efforts continue to dismantle criminal networks responsible for such attacks.