The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has applauded the successful rescue of schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State while urging the federal government and security agencies to deploy the same urgency and coordinated efforts to secure the release of pupils abducted in Borno State.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the coalition described the rescue as evidence that effective intelligence gathering, strong political will, and coordinated security operations can yield positive results in the fight against insecurity.
Charanchi commended the gallantry and professionalism of security agencies, intelligence operatives, and all those involved in securing the children’s freedom.
“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. Their dedication offers renewed hope to Nigerians amid the country’s growing security challenges,” he said.
While celebrating the rescue, the CNG 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,” Charanchi stated.
The group called on the federal government to replicate the intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration that led to the successful rescue in Oyo to ensure the immediate release of the abducted Borno pupils.
The coalition noted that, beyond the two incidents, thousands of Nigerians are still being held captive by kidnappers across the country, particularly in the North-West, North-East, and North-Central regions, where recurring attacks and mass abductions have displaced communities and disrupted livelihoods.
According to the group, the value of human life must never depend on geography or the level of public attention a particular incident receives, stressing that every kidnapped Nigerian deserves equal commitment from the government.
CNG also decried the recurring attacks on schools, insisting that educational institutions should remain safe spaces for learning rather than targets for criminal violence.
It urged governments at all levels to strengthen the protection of schools through improved intelligence gathering, enhanced community policing, better surveillance, and adequate security for vulnerable institutions.
The coalition further called for sustained intelligence-led security operations, stronger collaboration among security agencies, and efforts to address the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, youth unemployment, weak border controls, and the proliferation of illicit arms.
“The rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren should not be viewed as an isolated success but as proof that determined and coordinated action can produce positive outcomes. Nigerians now expect similar commitment in every kidnapping case, irrespective of where it occurs,” Charanchi said.
He added that the CNG stands in solidarity with the families of the abducted Borno pupils and all other victims of kidnapping, expressing hope that they would soon be reunited with their loved ones.
“Nigeria’s security institutions have demonstrated that success is possible. The challenge now is to replicate this success consistently until no Nigerian remains in captivity,” he added.
(The Sun)