Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed delight at the safe rescue of the schoolchildren and their teachers who were kidnapped from Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, and spent about 56 days in captivity.
The former Governor of Anambra State, in an X post titled “The Children’s Safe Return Is Worthy of Thanksgiving,” however said that while the return is being celebrated, it must be borne in mind “that no child should ever have to endure such trauma.”
According to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), “the recurring incidents of kidnapping, particularly of schoolchildren, underscore the urgent need to strengthen our security architecture and make the protection of lives and property the foremost responsibility of government.
“Our children deserve to learn in an atmosphere of safety, not fear. We must continue to work towards building a Nigeria where every child can pursue education without the threat of violence or abduction.”
He said he sincerely thanks all those whose tireless efforts made the freedom of the children and their teachers possible, “especially the security personnel and everyone who worked behind the scenes,” and rejoiced “with the children, their families, their schools, and all Nigerians on this heartening development.”
In a related development, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Saturday, July 11, 2026, visited the children and their teachers at the 2 Division of the Nigerian Army Medical Services and Hospital, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ibadan where they are receiving medical attention after their release.
The presidency, which announced the release of the abducted children and teachers, had said that eight of the abductors were arrested while others were neutralised.
