Northern Groups Demand Release Of Abducted Borno Pupils After Oyo Rescue

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to immediately intensify efforts to secure the release of schoolchildren abducted in Borno State, saying they deserve the same urgency that led to the rescue of pupils kidnapped in Oyo State.

The group, while commending security agencies for the successful rescue of the Oyo pupils, said the operation demonstrated that coordinated intelligence, political will and inter-agency collaboration could produce tangible results in the fight against insecurity.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the coalition praised the professionalism of security operatives involved in the rescue, describing the development as a source of hope for Nigerians grappling with widespread kidnappings and violent crimes.

“We commend the gallantry and professionalism of the security agencies, intelligence services, and all those whose efforts contributed to the safe recovery of the children,” Charanchi said.

“Their dedication offers a glimmer of hope to Nigerians amid ravaging insecurity and violence.”

However, the group expressed concern that schoolchildren abducted in Borno State on the same day remain in captivity.

“Every Nigerian child deserves equal protection regardless of geography, ethnicity, religion, or social status. The pain of parents in Borno is no less than that of parents in Oyo,” the statement added.

The CNG called on the Federal Government to deploy the same intelligence-driven strategy and coordinated security operations used in Oyo to secure the immediate release of the Borno pupils.

The coalition also noted that beyond the two incidents, thousands of Nigerians remain in the custody of kidnappers across the North-West, North-East, North-Central and other parts of the country, where recurring attacks and mass abductions have continued to displace communities and disrupt livelihoods.

It argued that the government’s commitment to rescuing victims should not depend on where kidnappings occur or the level of public attention they receive.

“The recurring attacks on schools remain particularly troubling. Schools should be places of learning and hope, not targets of criminal violence,” Charanchi said.

He urged federal and state governments to strengthen the protection of schools through improved intelligence gathering, enhanced community policing, increased surveillance and better security for vulnerable educational institutions.

The coalition further called for sustained intelligence-led operations, stronger collaboration among security agencies and measures to address the underlying causes of insecurity, including poverty, youth unemployment, porous borders and the proliferation of illicit arms.

According to the group, the successful rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren should serve as a model for future security operations across the country.

“Nigerians now expect similar commitment in every case of kidnapping, irrespective of where it occurs,” the statement said.

The CNG added that it stands in solidarity with the families of the abducted Borno pupils and other kidnapping victims nationwide, expressing hope that they would soon be reunited with their loved ones.

It stressed that while security agencies had shown that successful rescue operations were achievable, the real test would be replicating such outcomes consistently until all kidnapped Nigerians regained their freedom.