Northern groups hail the rescue of Oyo school children and call for similar action for Borno pupils

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has lauded the successful rescue of abducted school children in Oyo State, describing the feat as remarkable even as it requires equally swift action to free the abducted Borno pupils.

The coalition also described the operation as proof that coordinated security efforts, effective intelligence gathering and strong political will can deliver positive results in the fight against insecurity.

In a statement released on Sunday by its national coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the group praised the courage and professionalism of security agencies, intelligence officers and all those involved in securing the release of the children.

According to the coalition, the rescue offers renewed hope to Nigerians battling widespread insecurity and violent crimes across the country.

“We commend the courage and professionalism of the security agencies, intelligence services and all those whose efforts contributed to the safe recovery of the children.

“Their dedication offers a glimmer of hope to Nigerians in a context of devastating insecurity and violence. While celebrating this success, CNG is deeply concerned that the school children abducted in Borno State on the same day have yet to regain their freedom.

“Every Nigerian child deserves equal protection regardless of geography, ethnicity, religion or social status. The pain of the parents of Borno is no less than that of the parents of Oyo,” it read.

The coalition therefore urged the Federal Government and security agencies to employ the same level of urgency, intelligence-led operations and interagency collaboration that led to the successful rescue in Oyo to ensure the immediate release of the abducted Borno pupils.

Aside from these two incidents, thousands of Nigerians remain prisoners in different parts of the country.

Communities in the northwest, northeast, north-central and other regions continue to suffer recurring attacks, mass kidnappings and violent crimes that have displaced families and destroyed livelihoods.

The group argued that the value of human life should never be determined by geography or the level of public attention paid to a particular incident, insisting that every abducted Nigerian deserves the same commitment from the government.

“Recurring attacks on schools remain particularly concerning. Schools should be places of learning and hope, not targets of criminal violence. Governments at all levels must prioritize the security of educational institutions through better intelligence gathering, better community policing, improved surveillance and adequate protection for vulnerable schools.

“Furthermore, we urge the government to support intelligence-led security operations, improve collaboration between security agencies and address the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, youth unemployment, weak border controls and the proliferation of illicit weapons.

“The rescue of the Oyo school children should not be seen as an isolated success, but as proof that determined and coordinated action can produce positive results. Nigerians now expect a similar commitment in every abduction case, regardless of where it occurs.

“CNG stands in solidarity with the families of the Borno school children yet to be rescued and all other kidnapping victims across the country. We remain hopeful that with continued efforts, they too will soon be reunited with their loved ones.

“Nigeria’s security institutions have demonstrated that success is possible. The challenge now is to replicate this success consistently until no Nigerian remains a prisoner,” he said.