Nigeria Governors' Forum hails rescue of abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers
via Punch Nigeria8 min read
The Nigeria Governors' Forum NGF has expressed its relief and joy following the successful rescue of all schoolchildren and teachers abducted in the Oriire community of Oyo State. In a statement released on Friday night, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara State, congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the outcome of the rescue operation. The NGF noted that the rescue was the result of "months of high-level coordination, intelligence gathering, and disciplined execution." The forum also extended its congratulations to the victims' families and commended the Oyo State Government for its collaboration with the Federal Government, which contributed to the operation's success. The NGF praised the commitment and professionalism of the security forces involved and urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with timely and actionable intelligence.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has criticized President Bola Tinubu for allegedly prioritizing political campaigning for the 2027 presidential election over national security, particularly in the wake of the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. While commending the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies for the successful rescue operation, Atiku stated that the incident highlighted a failure of political leadership at the highest level. He argued that the President, as Commander-in-Chief, should have personally addressed the nation alongside defense chiefs to brief Nigerians on the operation, acknowledge the troops' bravery, and reassure families, instead of engaging in political activities. Atiku emphasized that the protection of lives and property should be the primary campaign of any responsible administration, and that politics can wait when citizens' lives are at stake. He also cautioned against premature celebration, noting that many Nigerians remain in captivity, and called for sustained military pressure until all abducted individuals are freed and communities are restored to peace.