On Friday, Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, urged security agencies to take immediate steps to rescue students who were abducted from the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Okene, Kogi state.
He expressed concern that the abduction of the students highlighted the overwhelming nature of the security challenges faced by Nigerian security agencies.
In a series of tweets, Obi expressed his dismay, stating: “Yet again, our children’s education has been disrupted in the country with another tragic incident of students being abducted by bandits at the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, Okene, Kogi state on Thursday.”
He further added, “The distressing news of the violent attack on the University by armed bandits resulting in the abduction of many students has added another layer of sorrow to a nation already grappling with insecurity.”
Obi emphasized the need for strong condemnation and decisive action against such acts, stating, “It is disheartening that students preparing for their exams have now found themselves in captivity in such a distressing manner. This is unacceptable and must be strongly denounced through decisive and targeted measures.”
He highlighted the impact of such security challenges on education in the country, saying, “An attack on our students is an attack on education. With the existing crisis of over 18.5 million out-of-school children, largely due to insecurity, and low enrollment at the tertiary level, the situation where students are now under attack aggravates the educational crisis further. The government must prioritize the security of lives and property.”
Obi called for urgent action to address the pervasive insecurity, stating, “Our national stability is under serious threat from insecurity, affecting every sector of our nation. We cannot allow our beloved country to continue on this perilous path of terror, destruction, and preventable loss of lives.”
In a plea for the prompt rescue of the abducted students and an end to the security challenges, he said, “For the sake of the abducted children and all Nigerians deserving a peaceful and prosperous nation, I appeal to the government and security agencies to exhaust all possibilities to secure the release of these children and eliminate the menace of insecurity.”