“Should we bomb them?” Bwala raises tough question over Oyo kidnapped pupils

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has questioned whether the Federal Government should resort to bombing suspected kidnappers’ hideouts where pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State may be held.

Bwala raised the question while responding to concerns over the continued captivity of victims abducted more than 50 days ago in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The victims, including over 39 pupils and seven teachers, were abducted on May 15, 2026, after gunmen attacked three schools in the area.

One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed, heightening fears over the safety of those still in captivity.

Speaking on The Morayo Show, Bwala said the government was aware of the condition of the victims and remained focused on securing their release alive.

“We know they are alive and they are well. To bring them back, to get them out alive, is much more important than whatever anybody is saying in the news,” he said.

The presidential aide warned that the use of military force could put the hostages at greater risk, saying rescue operations involving captives require careful decisions.

“When you have a case of what we call hostage-taking, the number one responsibility of government is to rescue them, and rescue them alive,” Bwala said.

He added that stronger measures would become necessary if there was evidence that more victims were being killed.

However, when questioned about the fact that one hostage had already been beheaded, Bwala challenged the idea of using immediate force.

“Should the government now forcefully begin bombing where we believe they are being held, because one person was beheaded and there is a possibility that the rest will be killed?” he asked.

He urged critics to consider the risks involved in military action against kidnappers holding civilians.

More than 50 days after the attack, the abducted pupils and teachers remain in captivity, while efforts to secure their release through negotiations have yet to produce a breakthrough.