The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed the rescue of the pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire, Oyo State, describing their safe return after 56 days in captivity as a relief while urging the Federal Government to strengthen measures to prevent similar incidents.
The opposition party made its position known in a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong.
While noting that details of the rescue operation were still limited, the PDP commended the efforts of the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, security agencies and other individuals and organisations that contributed to securing the victims’ release.
“Although details of the rescue remain limited, we commend the Federal Government, Oyo State government, security agencies and all individuals and organisations whose efforts contributed to the safe return of the victims,” the party said.
The PDP described the ordeal of the abducted pupils and teachers as traumatic, stressing that no child or educator should be exposed to such experiences in the course of pursuing education.
“No one should be subjected to such trauma in the pursuit of education,” the statement added.
The party also called on the Federal Government to take decisive action to prevent a recurrence of school kidnappings and other security breaches, insisting that protecting citizens remains the primary responsibility of government.
“We call on the Federal Government to take decisive steps to prevent a recurrence of such heinous acts. The protection of lives and property remains the first responsibility of government and is the irreducible minimum that our country and its citizens deserve,” the PDP stated.
The statement comes after the Presidency announced that all the abducted pupils and teachers had been rescued by security agencies following a coordinated operation that led to the arrest of eight suspected kidnappers, while others were neutralised.
