Victor Ezeja
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has decried the abduction of over 200 pupils, students and a teacher in schools in Kaduna State Nigeria on Thursday.
He called on governments at all levels and security agencies, to explore all possible means to ensure the safe release of the abducted school children and their teachers.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a statement on his X handle, Obi said: “Just yesterday, I was lamenting the horrible spate of killings, terror attacks, and abductions in the country, while calling for more concerted efforts to combat the continuing menace of nationwide insecurity. We are again confronted with the ugly news of the abduction of over 200 pupils and students plus a teacher of local primary and junior secondary schools in Kuriga, Chikun Local Government area of Kaduna State.
“While every effort should be directed towards the safe release of the children, better security measures need to be implemented to avoid future occurrences.”
The former Anambra State governor warned that the worsening security situation could have a devastating impact on education in the country if not seriously dealt with.
He noted that already, there is a high number of out-of-school children and that the rising spate of insecurity would aggravate the situation as many schools are closing down.
“While insecurity has continued to bear down on every sector of our national existence, its negative impact on education will be more devastating for the nation.
“We are already contending with an army of over 18 million out-of-school children, arising from the closure of schools due to insecurity. Further attacks on schools will only aggravate these numbers, drive more children into the streets, and add to the insecurity situation of the country.
“I once again appeal to the government, both state and federal, to explore all possible means to ensure the safe release of the abducted school children and their teachers.”
Obi urged “every Nigerian to continue to work and pray for the nation so that we can collectively conquer these unusual challenges.
“We must ensure that every Nigerian child can pursue their dreams and aspirations in a safe and secure nation. This is our duty in the New Nigeria which is POssible,” he added.
In less than 48 hours after Kaduna schools abduction, bandits also invaded Tsangava school in Gidan Bakuso in the Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Saturday morning.
READ ALSO: After Kaduna Incident, Bandits Strike In Sokoto, Abduct Scores Of School Pupils
The recent abductions in the schools have brought back memories of school abductions such as that of 276 female students who were kidnapped from a government secondary school in the Borno State town of Chibok, and also 110 schoolgirls from a girls’ science college in Dapchi, Yobe State, all in northeastern Nigeria.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
