The successful rescue of 44 pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State has prompted renewed calls for the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of other victims still being held by kidnappers and insurgents across the country.
The victims, who were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, regained their freedom after spending 56 days in captivity following a coordinated security operation involving the military and other agencies.
The rescue has been welcomed by various stakeholders, who say similar operations should be carried out in other parts of the country where people remain in captivity.
Several groups and individuals, including northern socio-political organizations, community representatives and political stakeholders, have called on security agencies to replicate the coordinated approach used in Oyo in states such as Borno, Kaduna, Kwara and Zamfara.
In Borno State, concerns remain over students abducted during separate attacks on schools in Askira/Uba Local Government Area earlier this year. Families of the victims have appealed for intensified efforts to secure their release.
Similar appeals have come from Kwara State, where residents continue to seek the rescue of dozens of women and children reportedly abducted during attacks on communities in Kaiama Local Government Area.
In Kaduna State, families of worshippers abducted during attacks on churches in Kachia Local Government Area have also urged the authorities to prioritize efforts to free those still in captivity.
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) welcomed the rescue of the Oyo victims while urging the Federal Government to sustain efforts to rescue all Nigerians being held by criminal groups across the country.
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) similarly called for stronger measures to address insecurity and ensure the safe return of abducted persons.
Political stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also described the Oyo operation as encouraging, but stressed that security efforts should be extended to victims in other affected states.
Security analysts have described the Oyo operation as an example of how coordinated intelligence gathering and collaboration among security agencies can produce results. They urged authorities to strengthen intelligence-sharing, improve preventive security measures and sustain operations aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks nationwide.
Responding to the calls, the Presidency said President Bola Tinubu had directed security and intelligence agencies to continue efforts to secure the release of Nigerians being held by kidnappers across the country.
The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said security agencies were carrying out rescue operations in different parts of Nigeria and remained committed to recovering all victims in captivity.
He added that the administration places equal importance on the safety of citizens across every region of the country and would continue supporting security operations aimed at restoring peace and protecting lives.
