A senatorial aspirant for Osun Central Senatorial District on the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Nathaniel Oduyemi, has expressed concern over the rising wave of kidnappings targeting schoolchildren and teachers across the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, Oduyemi said the abduction of pupils from schools, which should be safe environments for learning, underscored the severity of the nation’s security challenges.
“I have watched with deep concern and growing anxiety the disturbing wave of kidnappings targeting school children and their teachers across Nigeria. This trend is a threat to Nigeria’s future.
“The abduction of innocent pupils from schools that ought to be safe havens for learning is a tragic reminder that our nation is facing a grave security crisis. These attacks are not only assaults on the victims and their families; they are attacks on the future of our country,” the statement read.
Oduyemi noted that while kidnapping was not a new phenomenon in Nigeria, recent incidents had become more frequent and brazen.
“While kidnapping is unfortunately not new to Nigeria, the frequency, audacity, and scale of recent incidents have exposed the alarming weakness of the current administration’s response to insecurity.
“Criminals now operate with a level of boldness that suggests they no longer fear the consequences of their actions, while citizens are increasingly left to themselves,” the statement added.
Oduyemi also expressed concern over what he described as a lack of urgency in responding to incidents involving abducted schoolchildren.
“What is most troubling is the apparent lack of urgency displayed by the Federal Government in addressing these heartbreaking incidents.
“For days and weeks after the abduction of the Ogbomosho school children, Nigerians were met with silence rather than decisive leadership. Families were left in agony, communities were left traumatized, and the nation watched helplessly as precious time slipped away,” the statement noted.
According to him, every Nigerian child deserves equal protection irrespective of political considerations.
“Many Nigerians cannot help but wonder whether politics has overshadowed humanity in the government’s response.
“The perception that the level of federal attention given to security emergencies depends on political affiliations is dangerous for national unity. Every Nigerian child deserves protection regardless of the state in which they live or the political party their governor belongs to,” Oduyemi said.
He further stressed the need for stronger collaboration among stakeholders in tackling insecurity and urged parents to take additional measures to protect their children.
“I therefore call on parents across the country to remain vigilant and take every possible precaution to safeguard their children.
“While we continue to pray for divine intervention, parents must also strengthen community-based security measures and pay closer attention to the safety of their wards. These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary caution,” he stated.
Oduyemi appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to take decisive steps to address the growing insecurity.
“As a fellow son of Osun State, I make a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Mr President, Nigerians are looking to you for leadership. This is the moment to demonstrate courage, compassion, and determination.
“The lives of our children are too precious to become casualties of bureaucracy, political calculations, or administrative delays,” he stated.
He urged the Federal Government to explore broader partnerships and adopt new strategies to confront criminal groups.
“If the security situation has become overwhelming, there should be no hesitation in seeking broader support.
“The Federal Government must engage international partners, deploy every available resource, and embrace innovative security strategies capable of confronting the growing threat posed by criminal gangs and terrorist elements,” Oduyemi said.
The Osun Central aspirant warned that leaders would ultimately be judged by their response to moments of national distress.
“History will judge every leader not by the promises they made but by how they responded when their people were in distress.
“President Tinubu, you have already secured your place in history as Nigeria’s President; what remains is the legacy you choose to leave behind. This is the time to act decisively and demonstrate that no Nigerian life is expendable,” he said.
Oduyemi added that Nigerians were seeking reassurance and urgent action from government authorities amid growing fears over insecurity.
“Today, parents are crying, communities are living in fear, and Nigerians are becoming increasingly frustrated.
“The nation needs reassurance, empathy, and urgent action from its leadership. I demand the President to rise above politics, place humanity first, and restore confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens before desperation pushes people toward self-help and further threatens our collective peace and stability,” he added.
