Senate, House, protesters: let’s get kidnapped victims out

From Abuja to several state capitals, protests have intensified over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, with unions, lawmakers and state governments demanding urgent rescue operations.

The National Assembly, state governors, labour unions and civil society groups have called for the immediate release of victims, as insecurity in schools once again dominates national debate.

Government and security response

Federal authorities have stepped up security operations, with President Bola Tinubu’s administration ordering intensified deployments and coordinated rescue efforts across affected regions.

A presidential aide, Sunday Dare, said the government acted swiftly after the attack.

“The response of the federal government has not been slow,” he said, adding that the President condemned the incident within 24 hours and activated security agencies.

He also noted that senior security officials were deployed to affected communities to engage local leaders and support ongoing rescue missions.

In Abuja, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said security agencies were working to secure the release of the victims.

“We are all concerned about this security situation. The government is on its toes to ensure that those who are kidnapped are rescued,” he said.

Wike, however, cautioned against politicising the crisis.

“We are all concerned, but let us not politicise issues,” he warned.

Legislative response and security concerns

The Senate and House of Representatives have both called for urgent action, describing the abductions as a national tragedy.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged unity in response to the crisis.

“The abduction of schoolchildren and teachers… is not merely an attack on innocent citizens; it is an assault on our collective humanity,” he said.

He warned against politicising the incident, stating that criminals “do not distinguish between party, faith or ethnicity.”

The House of Representatives also called for immediate rescue operations and renewed debate on state policing, arguing that delays in reform are worsening insecurity.

Lawmakers further recommended establishing a military forward operating base in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, to strengthen security around vulnerable communities.

Protests across states

Demonstrations led by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have spread across multiple states, including Oyo, Lagos, Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Kwara, Osun, Rivers, Ondo and Akwa Ibom.

In Oyo State, teachers embarked on strike action while students and labour groups protested at the state secretariat in Ibadan, demanding immediate rescue efforts.

In Lagos, protesters marched to the State House of Assembly in Alausa, issuing a one-week ultimatum for government action.

In Anambra, teachers marched to the Government House in Awka, warning that insecurity in schools threatens the future of education.

In Bayelsa, union leaders warned that failure to secure the release of victims could trigger a nationwide strike.

In Osun, authorities dismissed rumours of fresh attacks as “false alarm” after panic spread across communities, while reinforcing security deployment.

State governments react

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said the situation required unity rather than blame.

“This is a time of national distress. It is not the time to trade blame,” he said.

He assured residents that security agencies were working to secure the release of abducted pupils and teachers.

In Ondo and Rivers states, officials also pledged enhanced security cooperation with federal authorities.

CAN declares mourning, calls for action

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) declared a three-day national mourning period, describing the situation as a national emergency.

It criticised what it called the government’s “conciliatory and pacifist rhetoric” and demanded stronger action to secure victims.

Opposition voices

The presidential candidate of NDC Peter Obi expressed concern over the prolonged captivity of victims, urging faster rescue operations and stronger accountability from government.

Context: rising insecurity

The latest abductions have reignited concerns over school safety in Nigeria, particularly in rural and northern communities where armed groups continue to target educational institutions.

Authorities say security operations are ongoing, while urging citizens to remain calm and report suspicious activity.

Source: The Nation

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#Insecurity #Kidnapping #SchoolAbduction #Oyo #Borno #Nigeria #Senate #HouseOfReps #CAN #NUT #NANS #Security #Protest #EducationCrisis