Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday assured protesting teachers and civil society organisations in Abuja that security agencies are intensifying efforts to secure the release of abducted teachers and students, while cautioning against the politicisation of security challenges.
It would be recalled that heavily armed men riding motorcycles launched coordinated attacks on three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area (LGA), Oyo State. The targeted institutions were Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School. Official police records indicate that 7 teachers, 18 primary pupils, and 7 secondary students were abducted, though local community leaders place the total number of missing persons as high as 46 victims.
The FCT Minister, assured protesting teachers and civil society organisations in Abuja that security agencies are intensifying efforts to secure the release of abducted teachers and students,
Civil Society and FCT teachers organized a peaceful protest demanding for the immediate release of those abducted. Wike while addressing the demonstrators who staged a protest in front of the Federal Capital Territory Adminstration (FCTA) Secretariat , said the Federal Government remained committed to ensuring the safe return of those in captivity.
According to him, security agencies are actively working to rescue the victims and restore confidence in the country’s security architecture.
”We are all concerned about this security situation. The government is on its toes to ensure that those who are kidnapped are rescued,” he said.
The minister expressed confidence in the capacity of the nation’s security institutions to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students, stressing the need for prompt action.
”I have that confidence that the security system will do all they can to make sure the teachers and the students that are being kidnapped are rescued, and let it be prompt,” he added.
Wike, however, warned against turning security concerns into political issues, arguing that insecurity affects all parts of the country and should be approached as a collective national challenge.
He noted that incidents of teacher abductions had occurred in other states without attracting similar protests in the nation’s capital, urging citizens to adopt a more unified response to security threats.
”We are all concerned, but let us not politicise issues. That is what I will not support. We are all concerned about the security situation and how the teachers and students should be released,” he said.
The minister further disclosed that security agencies were operating within established protocols and had made significant progress in efforts to secure the victims’ freedom.
According to him, no responsible government would deliberately allow its citizens to remain vulnerable to criminal elements, adding that authorities were working under challenging circumstances to protect lives and property.
”There is no government that will deliberately say let citizens be kidnapped, but we know where we found ourselves and we know that everything possible is being done,” he stated.
Calling for national solidarity, Wike said insecurity should not be viewed through regional or political lenses, stressing that an attack on one community ultimately affects the entire country.
”What concerns you concerns everybody, and what concerns Abuja also concerns everybody. We are all looking at how people should rise up with the same dedication,” he said.
The protest followed growing public concern over recent school abductions in parts of the country, with teachers’ groups and civil society organisations calling on authorities to strengthen security around schools and ensure the safe return of victims.