Action Alliance presidential candidate calls for urgent rescue of abducted students

The presidential candidate of the Action Alliance, Adekunle Omoaje, has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to step up efforts to free 96 pupils and teachers taken in separate attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states.

Omoaje described these events as a national emergency. He warned that the ongoing attacks on schools by kidnappers and insurgents are a serious threat to education and national security.

In a statement released on Wednesday in Kaduna, Omoaje expressed 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 that the Oyo abduction happened when armed men stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, which serve Esinele and Yawota communities during school hours and took the victims away.

In Borno State, the attackers reportedly invaded Mussa Central Primary School and abducted 50 children from their classrooms. This has raised fears among residents in that area, which has been plagued by insurgency.

Reacting to these incidents, Omoaje demanded 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 also noted that the attacks illustrate the growing insecurity in parts of the country. Schools, especially in rural and conflict-prone areas, are becoming more vulnerable.

“The ongoing attacks on schools threaten 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 called for traditional institutions to be more involved in fighting insecurity. He believes traditional rulers have local knowledge that can help with intelligence gathering and community security efforts.

“Traditional institutions are closest to the people. If properly empowered through constitutional provisions, they can support security agencies with intelligence gathering, conflict resolution, and community mobilization,” 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 improve security in affected areas.

He mentioned that this initiative would help reclaim forests and areas often used by kidnappers as hideouts. While he appreciated the collaboration between security agencies, local vigilantes, hunters, and community leaders, Omoaje stressed that the safety of the abducted victims should be the main focus.

“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 the quick implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative. This initiative aims to enhance security around schools with better surveillance, protective facilities, and rapid response systems.

Omoaje urged the Federal Government and state authorities to provide psychosocial support for families affected by the abductions. He noted that the trauma from such incidents can have long-lasting effects.

School abductions have become one of the most serious security challenges facing Nigeria in recent years. Hundreds of students have been kidnapped from schools across the country, especially in the North-East and North-West, forcing many schools to close temporarily and disrupting learning.

The rise in attacks on schools raises concerns among parents, education stakeholders, and development partners, despite various government efforts, including the Safe Schools Initiative, which aims to protect students, teachers, and school infrastructure from violence.

Security experts have warned that ongoing attacks on schools could increase the number of out-of-school children and hinder efforts to improve education access, especially in poor and insecure rural areas.

“As Nigerians wait for the safe return of these children, we must build a security framework that combines federal capabilities with empowered grassroots institutions. Only a coordinated approach can stop the repeated tragedy of school kidnappings in our country,” Omoaje added.