Action Alliance candidate speaks out on school kidnappings, calls for rescue efforts

The presidential candidate of the Action Alliance, Adekunle Omoaje, has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to do more to free 96 pupils and teachers taken in different school attacks in Oyo and Borno states.

Omoaje described these incidents as a serious national problem. He warned that the ongoing attacks on schools by kidnappers and insurgents threaten both education and national security.

In a statement released on Wednesday in Kaduna, Omoaje expressed his worry over the abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State. He also mentioned the kidnapping of 50 pupils from Mussa Central Primary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

Reports say the Oyo abduction happened when armed men invaded Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School that serve Esinele and Yawota communities during school hours and took away the victims.

In Borno State, the attackers are said to have entered Mussa Central Primary School and abducted 50 children from their classrooms, raising fears among residents in the area hit hard by insurgency.

Responding to these attacks, Omoaje urged for quick and united 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 show how bad insecurity has become in parts of the country and the risks schools face, especially in rural areas and conflict zones.

"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 suggested that traditional institutions should play a bigger role in fighting insecurity. He believes traditional rulers have local knowledge that can help improve intelligence gathering and community 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 praised President Bola Tinubu for reportedly ordering the deployment of 1,000 Forest Guards and special forces to help with rescue operations and boost security in affected areas.

He noted that this move would help reclaim forests and ungoverned spaces often used by kidnappers and criminals as hideouts.

While he commended the teamwork among security agencies, local vigilantes, hunters and community leaders, Omoaje stressed that the safety of the kidnapped victims should remain the main focus of the ongoing efforts.

"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 also called for faster implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative to improve security around schools. This includes better surveillance systems, protective infrastructure and quick response measures.

Omoaje urged the Federal Government and state authorities to provide support for families affected by the kidnappings. He noted that the trauma from such events could have long-lasting effects.

School kidnappings have become one of Nigeria's biggest security problems in recent years. Hundreds of students have been taken from schools across the nation, especially in the North-East and North-West, leading many schools to shut down temporarily and interrupting academic activities.

The rise in attacks on schools continues to worry parents, education stakeholders and development partners, despite various government actions, including the Safe Schools Initiative which aims to protect pupils, teachers and school infrastructure from violent attacks.

Security experts have warned that ongoing attacks on schools could increase the number of out-of-school children and hurt efforts to improve access to education, especially in rural areas already struggling with poverty and insecurity.

"As Nigerians await the safe return of these children, it is important 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.