The presidential candidate of the Action Alliance, Adekunle Omoaje, has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of 96 pupils and teachers abducted in separate attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states.
Omoaje described the incidents as a national emergency, warning that the continued targeting of schools by kidnappers and insurgents poses a grave threat to education and national security.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna, the Action Alliance flagbearer expressed concern over the abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as the kidnapping of 50 pupils from Mussa Central Primary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The PUNCH reports that the Oyo abduction occurred when armed men reportedly stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School serving Esinele and Yawota communities during school hours and whisked away the victims.
In Borno State, the attackers were said to have invaded Mussa Central Primary School and abducted 50 children from their classrooms, heightening fears among residents of the insurgency-ravaged area.
Reacting to the incidents, Omoaje called for urgent and coordinated action to rescue the victims.
“These abductions constitute a national emergency that demands urgent and coordinated action. The safe return of these innocent children and their teachers must be treated as a top priority by the government and security agencies,” he said.
He added that the attacks underscored the worsening insecurity in parts of the country and the vulnerability of schools, especially in rural and conflict-prone communities.
“The continued targeting of schools threatens not only the safety of our children but also the future of education in Nigeria. Without decisive action, more schools may become easy targets for kidnappers and insurgent groups,” he stated.
Omoaje also advocated greater involvement of traditional institutions in tackling insecurity, arguing that traditional rulers possess local knowledge that could strengthen intelligence gathering and community-based security efforts.
“Traditional institutions are closest to the people. If properly empowered through constitutional provisions, they can support security agencies through intelligence gathering, conflict resolution and community mobilisation,” he said.
The presidential candidate commended President Bola Tinubu for reportedly ordering the deployment of 1,000 Forest Guards and special forces to support rescue operations and strengthen security in affected communities.
He noted that the initiative would help reclaim forests and ungoverned spaces often used by kidnappers and criminal elements as hideouts.
While praising the collaboration between security agencies, local vigilantes, hunters and community leaders, Omoaje stressed that the safety of the abducted victims must remain the primary focus of ongoing operations.
“The overriding objective should be to rescue these children and their teachers alive and unharmed. Every effort must be directed towards achieving that goal,” he said.
He further called for the accelerated implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative to improve security around educational institutions through enhanced surveillance systems, protective infrastructure and rapid-response mechanisms.
Omoaje also urged the Federal Government and state authorities to provide psychosocial support for families affected by the abductions, noting that the trauma associated with such incidents could have long-term consequences.
School abductions have remained one of the most troubling security challenges confronting Nigeria in recent years. Hundreds of students have been kidnapped from schools across the country, particularly in the North-East and North-West, forcing many institutions to shut down temporarily and disrupting academic activities.
The resurgence of attacks on educational institutions has continued to raise concerns among parents, education stakeholders and development partners, despite various government interventions, including the Safe Schools Initiative aimed at protecting pupils, teachers and school infrastructure from violent attacks.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that persistent attacks on schools could worsen the number of out-of-school children and undermine efforts to improve access to education, especially in rural communities already affected by poverty and insecurity.
“As Nigerians await the safe return of these children, it is imperative to build a security framework that combines federal capabilities with empowered grassroots institutions. Only a coordinated approach can end the recurring tragedy of school kidnappings in our country,” Omoaje added.
