By Adekunle Williams
Mr Ayoola Lawal, a former secretary of the APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen, says Nigeria risks losing its sovereignty to criminals if it enters into negotiations with kidnappers and bandits.
Ayoola, a former APC Chairman in the Scandinavian Countries in a statement on Monday, pointed out that Nigeria as a country should not yield to sentimental pressure by agreeing to demands of the Oyo school children kidnappers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the abductors attacked schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities of Oyo on May 15.
The abductors, who kidnapped 39 children and seven teachers on Saturday, began demanding release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and implementation of Sharia-related law.
Ayoola stated: “History shows that states which release hardened terrorist leaders or concede to political demands under duress often faced even greater security threats in the future.
“What appears to be a short-term solution can quickly evolve into a long-term national security challenge.
“Although the response must be compassionate and resolute, Nigeria must demonstrate that while it values every human life and remains committed to protecting its citizens, it will never negotiate away its sovereignty.
“The battle is not simply for freedom of hostages. It is a battle for credibility of the Nigerian state, future of education, and fundamental principle that democratic societies cannot be governed at gunpoint.”
According to Lawal, terrorist demand is not a uniquely Nigerian challenge as the world has witnessed similar tactics across Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, and the wider Sahel region.
” Extremists and criminal organisations have repeatedly discovered that hostage-taking generates fear, publicity, and political leverage far beyond their actual capabilities.
” Every successful act of coercion becomes a recruitment tool; every concession risks becoming an invitation for future attacks.
“Abduction of the Oyo school children is more than a Kidnapping, Iit is another test of the Nigerian state,” he stated.
He described the situation as far more than a tragic criminal act and yet another test of Nigeria’s national security architecture, the rule of law, and authority of the state.
“The recent abduction of school children is a direct challenge to state authority, democratic governance, and the future of education itself.
‘When bandits demand release of detained terrorist leaders, substantial financial ransom, operational resources, and ideological concessions in exchange for innocent schoolchildren, their objectives extend far beyond criminal profiteering.
“Such demands are intended to demonstrate that violence can influence government policy, undermine public confidence, and weaken the legitimacy of democratic institutions.
“This is another defining moment for Nigeria. The natural and understandable instinct of any government is to prioritise immediate safety of innocent children. Every parent, citizen, and public official desires the safe return of the hostages.
“However, global experience demonstrates that governments must distinguish between tactical actions designed to save lives and strategic concessions that ultimately strengthen those who threaten society.”
He stated that Nigeria must elevate hostage recovery to a national strategic priority by setting up a permanent multi-agency framework and ensuring its smooth operations.
Such agency, he said, must integrate intelligence services, law enforcement agencies, military special operations units, cyber capabilities, financial investigators, and professional crisis negotiators.
“Around the world, successful hostage recovery operations rely less on brute force and more on superior intelligence gathering and coordination.
“The protection of schools must become a national security imperative. Schools are more than physical structures; they are symbols of opportunity, social mobility, and national development.
“An attack on a school is an attack on the nation’s future. Rural educational institutions, in particular, require improved security infrastructure, emergency communication systems, community intelligence networks, and rapid-response mechanisms.
“Nigeria must intensify efforts to dismantle the financial and logistical networks that sustain criminal and extremist groups. Kidnappers rarely operate alone. Behind every armed gang is a network of financiers, informants, suppliers, transporters, and collaborators.
“Disrupting these support structures is often more effective than focusing solely on the perpetrators themselves.”
Lawal urged Nigerians to join forces with the authorities rather than just criticise, in the search and information gathering for exterminating terrorism and other vices.
“The international community should assist as terrorist financing, illicit arms trafficking, and transnational criminal networks do not respect national borders.
“Nigeria’s partnerships with regional and international organisations must continue to deepen. Security challenges that cross continents require coordinated international responses,” he added. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
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