ADC Hail Rescue Of Oyo Pupils, Teachers, Tasks FG To Attack Equal Importance To Rescuing Borno, Kwara Victims

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has hailed the rescue of pupils, teachers and other victims abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity, while tasking the Federal Government to give equal importance to securing the release of schoolchildren and other victims still being held by kidnappers in Borno and Kaiama, Kwara State.
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In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said every successful rescue should be celebrated but the real task lies in preventing the kidnappings in the first place.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) hails the safe return of the pupils, teachers and other victims abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 harrowing days in captivity.

We commend the security agencies and all those whose efforts made this rescue possible. Most importantly, we rejoice with the families whose long traumatic wait for the safe return of the victims has finally come to an end.

However, even as we celebrate this positive development, we must not forget that many other families have lived through the same nightmare for much longer but appear not to receive the same level of attention.

The pupils abducted in Borno State in May this year remain in captivity, while more than 100 people kidnapped in Kaiama, Kwara State are still in the den of kidnappers several months after. We believe that the suffering of these victims deserves the same urgency, determination as well as the national and international attention that brought the Oriire victims home.

Every successful rescue is worth celebrating. But every kidnapping is also a reminder that the primary duty of government is to ensure that citizens are not abducted in the first place. What we must not do is to get accustomed to measuring success by the number of rescue operations this government conducts. The true measure of success is whether parents across Nigeria can send their children to school without fear, whether travellers can use our roads without anxiety, and whether ordinary Nigerians can live their daily lives free from the constant threat of violent criminals.

Under the Tinubu government, for too many Nigerians, insecurity has become an accepted part of everyday life. This is unacceptable. We cannot achieve meaningful economic growth, attract investment or build public confidence while kidnapping remains a recurring feature of national life.

The ADC therefore calls on the Federal Government to sustain the momentum that led to the rescue of the Oriire victims and deploy the same resolve, intelligence and operational capacity towards securing the freedom of every Nigerian still being held by criminal elements. Every life matters equally. No victim should be forgotten because they are voiceless or lack vocal champions to keep their story on the headlines and national focus.

ADC

We also urge the government to move beyond reactive security measures and implement a comprehensive security strategy that addresses the root causes of insecurity, strengthens intelligence gathering, improves inter-agency coordination, and restores effective state presence to protect vulnerable communities across the country.

Today, we celebrate with the families in Oriire. But our celebration will not be complete until every abducted Nigerian returns home safely.

SIGNED:

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
National Publicity Secretary
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
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Zamfara Lawmaker: Tinubu-Shettima Ticket Roadmap To APC’s Victory In 2027

President Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima
Rep. Aminu Jaji (APC-Zamfara) has congratulated Vice President Kashim Shettima on his re-nomination as running mate to President Bola Tinubu.
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In a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday, Mr Jaji, who is also the chairman of the House Committee on Ecological Fund, described Mr Shettima’s re-nomination as a wise decision.

The lawmaker, representing Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency, said Mr Shettima’s re-emergence as Mr Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election was a milestone toward the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s victory in the upcoming general elections.

“I congratulate Vice President Kashim Shettima and the entire APC family on his re-nomination as running mate to President Tinubu.

“This is a clear roadmap to victory for the party at all levels in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

Mr Jaji expressed confidence that Mr Shettima deserved a second term as President Tinubu’s vice on the platform of the APC.

Tinubu and Shettima

“The president’s decision demonstrates confidence in the vice president’s unflinching support, loyalty, competence, experience and invaluable contributions to the administration and the nation at large,” he said.

The lawmaker, who is also the leader of the Jajiya Political Movement in Nigeria, said the movement had already endorsed the Tinubu/Shettima ticket for the 2027 election.

He added that the ticket would again earn the confidence and mandate of Nigerians in 2027.
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IPCR lauds President Tinubu, security chiefs over rescue of abducted Oyo pupils

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution has commended President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s security chiefs over the successful rescue of pupils, teachers and other victims abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
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In a statement issued on Saturday by its Director-General, Dr Joseph Ochogwu, the institute said the rescue operation underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the country’s security architecture.

The IPCR also praised the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, heads of other security agencies, the Oyo State Government and all personnel involved in the operation.

It described the rescue as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes.

According to the institute, the successful operation reflected the positive impact of President Tinubu’s continued support for the Armed Forces and other security agencies through improved inter-agency coordination, intelligence-driven operations and sustained investment in national security.

The institute noted that the safe return of the victims after several weeks in captivity had brought relief to their families, the affected communities and Nigerians who had remained hopeful for their release.

It also congratulated the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies and other security personnel for what it described as their courage, professionalism and operational coordination.

“The successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers is a welcome development that deserves national commendation. It reflects the determination of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support the nation’s security institutions in fulfilling their constitutional responsibility, as well as the commitment, professionalism and resilience of our gallant security personnel, whose sacrifices continue to safeguard lives and preserve national security,” the statement read.

It added, “We commend President Tinubu for providing the leadership and support necessary for our security agencies to carry out their mandate effectively. We also congratulate the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies and every stakeholder whose collective efforts made this successful operation possible.”

While celebrating the rescue, the IPCR stressed the need to strengthen preventive measures to protect schools, communities and other vulnerable public institutions from criminal attacks.

It observed that attacks on educational institutions had far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate victims, creating fear among parents, disrupting learning and undermining national development.

The institute maintained that ensuring the safety of schools remained critical to achieving quality education, social stability and sustainable development, adding that every Nigerian child deserved to learn in a safe and peaceful environment.

The IPCR called on governments at all levels to strengthen security around educational institutions through improved surveillance, early warning systems, intelligence gathering and stronger partnerships with host communities.

It also advocated increased investment in intelligence-driven operations and rapid response capabilities to prevent future incidents.

IPCR

The institute further emphasised that peacebuilding should complement security operations, noting that lasting peace could only be achieved by addressing the root causes of violent crime, including poverty, unemployment, social exclusion and weak community engagement.

It urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women’s groups, civil society organisations and community leaders to support the government and security agencies through information sharing, dialogue and initiatives that promote peaceful coexistence and prevent criminal activities.
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