The successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from oriire local government area of Oyo State has triggered fresh nationwide appeals for the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of dozens of schoolchildren still being held by terrorists in Borno state.
Leading the calls, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, commended President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies for the successful rescue operation in Oyo but urged them to demonstrate the same level of commitment toward rescuing schoolchildren abducted by Boko Haram in Borno State.
The Sultan stressed that every Nigerian life is equally precious, regardless of geographical location, and called for urgent action to ensure the safe return of all children still in captivity. His appeal came as parents of 78 pupils abducted in separate Boko Haram attacks in Askira/Uba local government area of Borno State lamented that they had received no meaningful information about the fate of their children, weeks after the incidents.
The parents said the rescue of the Oyo pupils had rekindled hope but also deepened their pain, as they continue to wait anxiously for news of their own children.
Recall that on May 15, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, abducting 42 pupils. Barely six weeks later, on June 29, terrorists stormed Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, kidnapping 36 students and a teacher.
Speaking on behalf of affected families, Ibrahim Millam, whose daughter Esther Ibrahim is among those abducted from Lassa, said the silence from security agencies had left parents devastated. He appealed directly to President Tinubu not to abandon the children in captivity.
Echoing similar concerns, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) said the joy over the rescue of the Oyo pupils would remain incomplete until every Nigerian still held by kidnappers and terrorist groups regains freedom.
In a statement issued yesterday, CAN President, Daniel Okoh, described the rescue as a major relief for affected families and thanked God for preserving the lives of the rescued children and teachers. “Our celebration will not be complete until every captive returns home and every Nigerian can live, learn, work and worship without fear”, he said.
The Christian body commended President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Amotekun Corps, local hunters and vigilantes for their coordinated efforts that led to the successful rescue operation.
However, the association cautioned against allowing national attention to shift away from those still in captivity, particularly victims in states such as Borno and Niger. It emphasised that every Nigerian life deserves equal concern and protection, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or location. “Our compassion must never become selective; and our concern must never depend on geography, ethnicity or religion,” the association stated.
CAN further urged Nigerians to continue praying for the safe return of all abductees, support lawful security operations, and stand in solidarity with families still awaiting the reunion with their loved ones.
