From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Action Alliance Presidential Candidate, Aare Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, has called on the Federal Government to accelerate efforts to rescue 39 students and seven teachers kidnapped from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, and 50 children abducted from Mussa Central Primary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The abduction in Oyo happened when gunmen stormed Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School serving Esinele and Yawota communities. The attackers reportedly struck during school hours, taking the pupils and teachers and causing panic across the farming communities. Parents have since gathered at the schools demanding answers and the safe return of their children.
In Borno, the incident at Mussa Central Primary School, Askira-Uba, adds to the state’s long history of school-related abductions by insurgents. The 50 children were taken from their classrooms, increasing fears among families in the conflict-affected area. The kidnapping has renewed calls for stronger protection of schools in vulnerable regions across the North-East.
Reacting to these twin tragedies, Omoaje described the abductions as “a national emergency that demands urgent and coordinated action.” He urged the Federal Government and security agencies to prioritize the rescue and safe return of all victims, warning that prolonged captivity could expose the children to further trauma and danger.
The Action Alliance Presidential candidate pointed out that these incidents highlight Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, especially the vulnerability of schools in rural and conflict-prone communities. He argued that without decisive action, more schools risk becoming targets for kidnappers and insurgent groups seeking ransom or notoriety.
Omoaje, a grassroots politician from Ede in Osun State, said the attacks also underscore the need to rethink Nigeria’s security system. According to him, local knowledge and community vigilance are essential for early warning and prevention, but current structures limit the role of grassroots organizations in fighting insecurity.
To close this gap, he called for giving traditional rulers more constitutional powers to help address the country’s insecurity. Omoaje said traditional institutions, being closest to the people, can gather intelligence, mediate community conflicts, and support security agencies if legally empowered to do so.
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his quick response to the situation. The President ordered the immediate deployment of 1,000 Forest Guards and special forces to rescue the abducted children in Oyo and Borno states.
The Forest Guards are part of a broader plan to control ungoverned spaces and forest areas often used by kidnappers as hideouts. Security analysts say this initiative aims to deny criminals safe havens and improve monitoring in hard-to-reach locations where regular policing is limited.
Special forces assigned to Oyo State have already begun patrols around Oriire and neighboring local governments. Sources in the security community said troops are working with local vigilantes and hunters familiar with the terrain to track down the abductors and free the 46 victims.
In Borno, the special forces operation is coordinated alongside ongoing counter-insurgency efforts in Askira-Uba and nearby areas. Military sources confirmed that intelligence gathering has increased around Mussa Central Primary School, with troops engaging suspected insurgent enclaves believed to be holding the 50 children.
Omoaje praised the cooperation between federal troops, local vigilantes, and community leaders in both states. He emphasized that rescuing the children alive and unharmed should be the main goal, urging security agencies to exercise caution during operations.
The Action Alliance candidate also called on the Federal Government to accelerate the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, which aims to make schools more secure through physical barriers, surveillance, and quick-response systems. He said the initiative must go beyond policy and result in real protections on the ground.
Beyond immediate rescue efforts, Omoaje urged state and federal authorities to provide mental health support for the families of the abducted children. He noted that the trauma of separation and uncertainty can have lasting effects if not properly addressed.
As Nigerians await news of the rescued children, Omoaje reiterated his call for a security model that combines federal strength with constitutional recognition for traditional rulers and community structures.
He said that only a coordinated approach empowering grassroots institutions can sustainably end the cycle of school kidnappings.
