A UK-based Nigerian activist, Mrs Oluwadamisi Tayo-Ladega has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and security agencies to act immediately to rescue children and teachers abducted during a recent attack in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The incident, which reportedly involved the kidnapping of dozens of pupils and teachers from affected communities, has sparked outrage among Nigerians both at home and abroad. Reports indicate that armed men targeted schools in the area, abducting children and education workers, while one teacher was reportedly killed during the attack.
Speaking to Nigerian Mirror in Manchester, Mrs Oluwadamisi Tayo-Ladega, Director of HMGSF, described the abduction as a heartbreaking tragedy and urged authorities to prioritise the safe return of all victims.
“The kidnapping of innocent children is unacceptable and demands an immediate response from the Nigerian government,” Mrs Tayo-Ladega said. “These children must be rescued without delay. Every moment they remain in captivity increases the trauma for them and their families.”
She stressed that protecting children and ensuring access to safe education should remain a national priority.
“Our children deserve to attend school without fear. The government must deploy every available resource to secure their release and prevent future attacks on schools and communities,” she added.
The abductions have generated widespread concern because of the number of victims involved and reports that some of the kidnapped children are very young. Reports indicate that some of the abducted pupils were as young as two years old.
Authorities have confirmed that rescue efforts are ongoing, while security agencies continue operations aimed at locating the victims and apprehending those responsible for the attack.
Mrs Tayo-Ladega also called for stronger security measures around schools, particularly in vulnerable rural communities, warning that repeated attacks on educational institutions threaten the future of many children.
Community leaders and rights advocates have similarly expressed concern over recurring school kidnappings across Nigeria, noting that such incidents undermine educational development and create fear among parents, teachers, and pupils.
As families continue to wait anxiously for news of their loved ones, Nigerians in the diaspora are joining calls for swift and decisive action to ensure the safe rescue and return of every child and teacher affected by the Oyo State kidnapping.
