The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the federal government to replicate the resolve that led to the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State by intensifying efforts to free victims still being held by kidnappers in Borno and Kwara states.
The opposition party said the successful rescue of the Oriire schoolchildren and teachers after 56 days in captivity was encouraging, but noted that many other victims across the country remained in the hands of their abductors without receiving the same level of attention.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party congratulated the rescued victims, their families and the security agencies, describing the operation as a welcome development in the fight against kidnapping.
“We commend the security agencies and everyone whose efforts made this rescue possible. Most importantly, we rejoice with the families whose painful and anxious wait has finally come to an end,” the statement said.
While celebrating the successful operation, the ADC stressed that the government must ensure that similar efforts are directed at securing the freedom of other Nigerians still in captivity.
It pointed to the pupils abducted in Borno State earlier this year who are yet to regain their freedom, as well as more than 100 residents reportedly kidnapped in Kaiama, Kwara State, saying their continued captivity deserved the same urgency and national attention.
According to the party, every victim of kidnapping should matter equally, regardless of where the incident occurred.
The ADC also cautioned against judging the government’s security performance solely by the number of successful rescue operations, arguing that preventing abductions should remain the ultimate objective.
“The real test of success is creating a country where parents can send their children to school without fear, travellers can use the highways safely and communities can go about their daily lives without the constant threat of kidnapping,” the party stated.
It expressed concern that recurring cases of kidnapping had continued to erode public confidence and pose a serious threat to economic activities and investment.
The party therefore urged the federal government to sustain the momentum generated by the Oyo rescue by deploying the same intelligence, determination and operational capacity to secure the release of all Nigerians still in captivity.
It also called for a more comprehensive security strategy anchored on improved intelligence gathering, stronger collaboration among security agencies, tackling the root causes of insecurity and strengthening government presence in vulnerable communities.
According to the ADC, while the rescue of the Oriire victims is a victory worth celebrating, the fight against kidnapping cannot be considered won until every abducted Nigerian is safely reunited with their families.
