The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has commended the Nigerian government, security agencies and local vigilantes for the successful rescue of the abducted Oriire schoolchildren, but declared that the operation would remain incomplete until every Nigerian still held by terrorists regains freedom.
The group urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately intensify efforts to rescue the 176 women and children from Woro in Kwara State and the 40 pupils of Mussa School in Borno State who remain in terrorist captivity, insisting that every kidnapped Nigerian deserves the same urgency and commitment shown in the rescue of the Oriire victims.
In a statement, the organisation praised the bravery of security personnel and community vigilantes whose coordinated efforts led to the successful rescue operation.
It also paid tribute to the Mathematics teacher who was killed during the abduction, describing his death as a painful reminder of the heavy price innocent Nigerians continue to pay for the country’s worsening insecurity.
The group further expressed condolences to the security operatives who lost their lives during the rescue mission, describing them as heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation.
“Our prayers go to the Mathematics teacher who lost his life during the abduction by the terrorists. We also extend our condolences to the security operatives who paid the supreme price in the course of rescuing the children,” the statement read.
While celebrating the successful rescue, the organisation warned against selective responses to insecurity, stressing that every Nigerian life is equally valuable regardless of ethnicity or location.
“We are not a tribalistic organisation. Our concerns cut across all ethnic groups. Children are the apple of every parent’s eye, and no parent prays to know the tragic end of their children. We all pray for them to succeed us. They should not be subjected to trauma and mental health challenges at their age simply because the government has failed to secure the lives and property of the citizens it swore to protect,” the group stated.
The organisation further cautioned political leaders against exploiting the country’s security crisis for partisan interests.
“This is not the time to use the lives of innocent people to play politics. Rather, it is the time to call on the Nigerian government to intensify its efforts and adequately equip our security operatives to combat terrorists in their strongholds.”
It specifically called on the Federal Government to replicate the determination that secured the freedom of the Oriire schoolchildren by rescuing the remaining victims still in captivity.
“The 176 Woro children and women, alongside the 40 Mussa schoolchildren, should be rescued just as the Oriire schoolchildren were rescued. Only then will Nigerians truly know that President Bola Tinubu is working seriously to improve security across the country.”
The group maintained that the rescue of every kidnapped Nigerian should remain a national priority, urging the Federal Government to demonstrate equal commitment to securing the release of all citizens still being held by terrorists and other criminal groups across the country. It stressed that only a consistent and impartial approach to protecting lives would restore public confidence in the government’s fight against insecurity.