By Opeyemi Adelakun
The successful rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State has triggered fresh nationwide demands for the Federal Government to intensify efforts to free hundreds of Nigerians still being held by terrorists and kidnappers in Borno, Kwara, Kaduna and other parts of the country.
The operation, carried out after 56 days in captivity through a coordinated intelligence-led effort involving the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, has been widely hailed as evidence that collaboration among security agencies can produce results without paying ransom.
However, while the rescue has been celebrated across the country, families of other abducted victims, community leaders, civil society organisations and political groups say similar urgency must now be directed towards securing the release of those who remain in captivity.
Borno parents demand equal commitment
In Borno State, where 78 students are still being held following separate attacks on schools in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, parents said the Oyo rescue had renewed hope but also heightened concerns over the fate of their children.
On May 16, suspected Boko Haram insurgents abducted 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School. About six weeks later, another attack on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, led to the abduction of 36 students and a teacher.
Speaking on behalf of affected families, Ibrahim Millam, whose daughter, Esther, remains among the captives, said relatives had received no meaningful information since the abductions.
“Since they took my daughter, Esther, and her fellow students, we have not received any information. It has been silence; no information about their whereabouts. We commend the Federal Government for rescuing the Oyo students. Please, our children should not be allowed to die in captivity. They are our hope. We are not at peace in our homes,” he said.
Another resident, Sani Abdullahi, described the continued captivity of the students as heartbreaking.
“It is unfortunate that our children are still in captivity after almost two months. Parents are losing hope. If you visit the families now, it is tears upon tears.
“As a community, we don’t even know where to start anymore or who will come to our aid,” he said.
Kwara communities seek similar rescue mission
Residents of Kaiama Local Government Area in Kwara State also called on the Federal Government to replicate the strategy that secured the release of the Oyo victims for the rescue of 176 women and children abducted during deadly attacks on Woro and neighbouring communities earlier this year.
Although additional security personnel were deployed to the area after the attacks, relatives of the victims said little progress had been made in securing their release.
In an appeal issued on behalf of affected communities, Comrade M.Z. Shero urged President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser and security agencies to launch a coordinated rescue operation.
“Our hearts are heavy as we await news of 176 innocent citizens currently in captivity from Woro community in Kaiama Local Government Area and 11 members of a family from Yashikira Emirate.
“We know the government has the capacity and resources to rescue our people. Every hour counts. Every life matters,” he said.
Community leader Usman Zakari said residents welcomed the Oyo rescue because it demonstrated that successful operations were possible.
“Everybody in Kaiama community was excited by the news. It reignited our hope that our people will also be rescued from captivity,” he said.
Chief Imam of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Dr Sanusi Lafiagi, also appealed to the Federal Government not to overlook victims in Kwara.
“I join millions of well-meaning Nigerians in celebrating the successful rescue of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers.
“Please, I want to remind the government of the 176 women and children from Woro who have remained in captivity since February, as well as other kidnap victims from Kwara North. They equally deserve to be rescued and reunited with their families,” he said.
Kaduna families fear for abductees
In Kaduna State, relatives of worshippers abducted during Easter Sunday attacks on churches in Ariko Community, Kachia Local Government Area, said their hopes were fading following reports that some captives might have died in the kidnappers’ camp.
Village Head of Ariko, Joshua Doka, said the community had not received fresh updates from government authorities.
“They are still demanding N1bn and 35 motorcycles and have refused to reduce the ransom despite all our appeals,” he said.
“We are pleading with the Federal Government, the Kaduna State Government and the security agencies to rescue our people before more lives are lost.”
Analysts urge nationwide adoption of Oyo strategy
Security analyst Abubakar Kareto described the Oyo operation as proof that intelligence-driven rescue missions could succeed across the country if properly coordinated.
“The successful rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo has restored hope. While celebrating this achievement, we must not forget the students still in captivity in Borno.
“The successful intelligence-led rescue model used in Oyo must be immediately deployed in Borno. The government must proactively enforce the Safe Schools Initiative to protect vulnerable rural schools,” he said.
President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Kaigama, warned that youths would organise peaceful protests if the abducted students were not rescued soon.
“If the Borno State Government and Senator Ali Ndume cannot secure the release of our schoolchildren abducted from Mussa and Lassa within weeks, we will protest in our communities,” he said.
ADC, northern groups call for equal attention
The African Democratic Congress urged the Federal Government to extend the same operational commitment shown in Oyo to victims in other states.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the rescue should not end with celebrations.
“We commend the security agencies and everyone whose efforts made this rescue possible. Most importantly, we rejoice with the families whose long, traumatic wait has finally ended.
“The pupils abducted in Borno State remain in captivity, while more than 100 people kidnapped in Kaiama, Kwara State, are still being held several months later. We believe their suffering deserves the same urgency, determination and national attention that brought the Oriire victims home,” he said.
The Arewa Consultative Forum also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to free all Nigerians still in captivity.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, said, “We heartily welcome the successful rescue of the Oyo State schoolchildren and their teachers. We fervently appeal to the President Bola Tinubu administration, the security forces and all concerned authorities to ensure the release of all persons still in captivity across states, including Borno, Kaduna, Kwara, Zamfara and every other state.”
Similarly, Northern Elders Forum spokesman, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, argued that preventing abductions should remain government’s priority.
“The government should have prevented the abduction of schoolchildren in the first instance. If the government can provide adequate security, nobody should be subjected to kidnapping, abduction or killing. Why should children be kidnapped?” he asked.
Presidency assures families
Responding to the growing calls, the Presidency said President Bola Tinubu had directed security and intelligence agencies to ensure the rescue of every Nigerian still in captivity.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said rescue operations were ongoing across the country.
“The President has given a directive to the security and intelligence agencies to rescue every Nigerian who is in captivity, whether they are in the North-East, North-West, South-East or South-West, and that is happening every day,” Ajayi said.
“There is hardly a day that the military, DSS and the police are not rescuing children, women and men across the country.
“Visit the social media pages of the military, DSS and the police, and you will see reports of communities being liberated, victims being rescued, and terrorists and bandits being eliminated.
“There is no ethnic colouration to this. The President is the President of the country, and every life is important to him.”
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