The successful rescue of the school children and teachers in Oyo State should not overshadow the plight of thousands of other victims across the country. Let same efforts deployed in freeing the Oyo hostages be extended to other Nigerians in captivity, elsewhere. Many Nigerian families are still living with the pain and uncertainty of having loved ones in kidnappers’ dens. The government should build on the momentum created by the Oyo rescue by redoubling efforts to free every Nigerian still in captivity.
By Emeka Alex Duru
The excitement in the land since the release of the school children and teachers kidnapped by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, after about 56 days, is not surprising. The 45 hostages were abducted from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15. One of them, Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher was beheaded by the bandits inside the bush.
From the time the victims were held in captivity to the moment of their rescue, the nation was soaked in fears and uncertainties. Even when the government repeatedly gave assurances of being on top of the situation, Nigerians were hardly convinced. You will not blame them for being skeptical, given as they say, ‘once bitten, twice shy’. This is one administration that has elevated propaganda and doublespeak to an act of governance. The consistency of its consistencies on policies and programmes, has equaled no other administration before it. Its pronouncements or pledges on issues, are therefore taken with great deal of caution and even pinch of salt by even its supporters.
READ ALSO:
Makinde’s call for UN probe of Oyo abduction is patriotic
Besides, there were instances of previous abductions that remain hazy and unresolved. The case of April 2014, when 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a government secondary school in Chibok, in Borno State, readily comes to mind. Till date, the fate of many of the girls, remains unknown. There was also the February 19, 2018, incident in which 110 students aged 11–19 years old were abducted from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College (GGSTC), Dapchi, Yobe State. Five of the girls died in the course of the kidnap, the rest released in March 2018, except, Leah Sharibu, a Christian who refused to convert to Islam. She has remained in captivity, eight years after. Such sordid reminders and other unreported cases, informed the apprehension on the state of the Oyo captives. The ululation that trailed their freedom, is therefore, in order.
President Bola Tinubu, in reaction, commended the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force for securing the victims’ freedom. He lauded the security agencies for sustaining the operation for almost two months without collateral damage and ensuring the arrest of eight of the abductors and neutralising others. Tinubu also sympathised with the rescued pupils, their teachers, their families and the nation over the trauma they endured during their captivity.
Same note of excitement was expressed by the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, his Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) counterpart, Peter Obi, religious leaders and Nigerians from different walks of life. They all lauded the safe return of the victims and called on the Federal Government to take decisive measures to prevent a recurrence and strengthen security across the country. Also, Senator representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume described the development as good news and urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue dozens of people still being held by kidnappers in his constituency.
Freedom for the Oyo captives is a big achievement by the government and an indication that Nigeria has the capacity to tackle and contain the criminals. The success of the exercise shows that with more dedication, victory could be attained in the fight against insecurity in the country. Notwithstanding, the rescue is a beginning of the big task ahead. Apart from the Oyo episode, there are still Nigerians in captivity in Borno, Niger, Kwara States and other areas. At the time the kids in Oyo were seized, Boko Haram terrorists also attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, in Borno State, and abducted 42 students. The kids are still inside the forests, subjected to most harrowing of abuses and molestations. The government therefore needs to do more to free them.
The advice by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, to the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of Nigerians still being held by terrorists, bandits and other criminal groups, thus, becomes germane. Okoh’s remark centred on the need for coordinated security operations driven by credible intelligence, patience and professionalism to deliver positive results and restore public confidence. This is quite instructive. Government and security agents should look in this direction for more successes and breakthroughs.
Importantly, the successful rescue of the school children and teachers in Oyo State should not overshadow the plight of thousands of other victims across the country. Let same efforts deployed in freeing the Oyo hostages be extended to other Nigerians in captivity, elsewhere. Many Nigerian families are still living with the pain and uncertainty of having loved ones in kidnappers’ dens. The government should build on the momentum created by the Oyo rescue by redoubling efforts to free every Nigerian still in captivity. Every child and every citizen deserve equal protection irrespective of religion, ethnicity or geographical location. There is the need to make schools safe again. No parent should have to choose between educating a child and keeping that child alive. Education is the right of every Nigerian child.
While the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and all security agencies involved in the rescue operations take the salute for the feat, more still needs to be done to address the cycle of insecurity in the land. The task speaks on the need for enhanced intelligence gathering amongst security agencies. It also underlines the need for securing Nigerians in every part of the country. It is worth reiterating that security of life and property of citizens, remains the primary purpose of the government. Every Nigerian in captivity is a minus to governance and an assault to the country’s sovereignty. This is the time to speed up the processes for state and community policing to avoid future kidnappings and related criminal activities.
