National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has applauded security agencies for freeing the abducted Oriire pupils in Ibadan, Oyo State.
It urged the federal government to sustain the momentum by intensifying efforts to rescue hundreds of other Nigerians held by kidnappers across the country.
The commission said the successful operation should not be viewed as an isolated achievement, stressing that every citizen trapped in captivity deserves the same level of urgency, commitment and coordinated rescue effort.
The executive secretary of the NHRC, Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), said although the rescue had brought relief to the affected families, countless other victims remain in the custody of criminal gangs while their relatives continue to endure anxiety and uncertainty.
He maintained that protecting the lives and liberty of Nigerians remains a constitutional obligation of government, noting that the rights guaranteed under Sections 33 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution must be upheld without exception.
According to Ojukwu, “Every life matters. The joy of one family reunited must become the standard for every family still waiting in anguish.
“While we commend this rescue, we are reminded that hundreds of Nigerians are still missing, still suffering, and still hoping. The State has a duty to protect the right to life and personal liberty of every citizen.”
The NHRC boss described the rising incidents of abductions involving schoolchildren, commuters and residents as serious violations of fundamental human rights capable of deepening fear and insecurity across the country.
He called on the federal government, state governments and security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve collaboration among security institutions and prioritise victim-centred rescue operations aimed at ensuring the safe return of all abducted persons.
“Rescuing one is commendable. Rescuing all is the mandate. No Nigerian should be left behind in captivity,” he added.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of all persons in Nigeria and urged authorities to adopt stronger measures to tackle kidnapping and other forms of insecurity threatening the lives and freedoms of citizens.
