The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of victims still being held by kidnappers in Borno and Kwara states, following the successful rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party congratulated the 44 pupils and teachers rescued from captivity in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing their freedom as welcome news for their families and the nation.
However, the party cautioned against what it described as “selective rescue operations,” insisting that all Nigerians held by criminal groups deserve the same level of commitment from the government.
According to the ADC, while the rescue operation in Oyo ended a 56-day ordeal for the victims, many other kidnapped Nigerians remain in captivity with little public attention.
The party pointed to the abduction of schoolchildren in Borno State, who were kidnapped in May 2026 and are yet to regain their freedom. It also referenced comments by Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who recently disclosed that 79 residents of Borno South, including students abducted from Lassa while preparing for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations, are still missing.
The ADC also highlighted the plight of more than 100 people abducted in Kaiama, Kwara State, who remain in captivity months after their abduction.
“We believe that the suffering of these victims deserves the same urgency, determination and national attention that brought the Oriire victims home,” the party said.
The opposition party argued that while successful rescue operations are commendable, they should not be used as the sole measure of the country’s security performance.
According to the ADC, the continued rise in kidnapping cases across the country points to deeper security challenges that require long-term solutions rather than reactive responses.
The party expressed concern that insecurity has continued to disrupt daily life and undermine public confidence, while also affecting economic activities in many parts of the country.
It called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to adopt a more comprehensive security strategy by strengthening intelligence gathering, improving coordination among security agencies, addressing the socio-economic factors driving insecurity, and restoring government presence in vulnerable communities.
The statement comes a day after the Presidency confirmed the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State following weeks of security operations, an achievement that has drawn praise from many Nigerians while also renewing calls for similar efforts to secure the release of other kidnap victims across the country.