PDP Reacts To Release Of Oyo Kidnapped Pupils, Teachers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has welcomed the rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing their safe return after 56 days in captivity as a major relief.

Naija News reports that the opposition party, however, urged the Federal Government to strengthen security around schools and take decisive measures to prevent a recurrence of similar attacks.

The PDP stated this on Friday in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong.

The party said the return of the victims had brought relief to their families, the affected communities and Nigerians who had followed the abduction with concern.

Although the party noted that full details of the operation had yet to be made public, it praised the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, security agencies and other stakeholders involved in securing the victims’ freedom.

“Although details of the rescue remain limited, we commend the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, security agencies and all individuals and organisations whose efforts contributed to the safe return of the victims,” the party said.

The PDP said the rescue demonstrated the importance of cooperation among different levels of government, security agencies and members of the public in confronting kidnapping and other forms of violent crime.

The opposition party described the experience of the pupils and teachers as traumatic, saying schools should be safe places for learning rather than targets for criminal attacks.

“No one should be subjected to such trauma in the pursuit of education,” the statement added.

The party said the incident again highlighted the vulnerability of schools and the need for stronger preventive security measures, particularly in communities exposed to kidnapping and armed attacks.

The PDP called on the Federal Government to go beyond celebrating the victims’ release by addressing the security failures that allowed the abduction to occur.

The party stated, “We call on the Federal Government to take decisive steps to prevent a recurrence of such heinous acts.

“The protection of lives and property remains the first responsibility of government and is the irreducible minimum that our country and its citizens deserve.”

It urged the authorities to improve intelligence gathering, strengthen security around educational institutions and ensure that criminal gangs responsible for school kidnappings were dismantled.