Parade and Prosecute Kidnappers Immediately— Senator Ningi Tells FG as Oyo Victims Reunite with Families

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, has issued a strong demand to the Federal Government to immediately parade and prosecute all suspects arrested in connection with the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, insisting that swift and public justice is essential to deter future attacks and restore public confidence in the nation's security apparatus. The senator made the call on Tuesday during a plenary session of the Senate, where lawmakers debated a motion commending President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, and other security agencies for the successful rescue of the victims who had spent 56 harrowing days in captivity. Ningi's intervention came as the upper chamber also cautioned Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde against calling for a United Nations-led investigation into the abduction, arguing that such a move could undermine Nigeria's sovereignty and trivialise the efforts of the country's security forces.

The abduction, which occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed bandits attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; L.A. Primary School; and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esienle, in Oriire Local Government Area, resulted in the kidnapping of 39 pupils and several teachers. The victims were finally rescued on July 10, 2026, following a coordinated intelligence-driven military operation involving the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Police, Department of State Services, and other security agencies. The operation also led to the arrest of eight suspected militants, while an unspecified number of the abductors were neutralised during the rescue mission. However, the joy of the rescue was tempered by the tragic loss of two teachers, one of whom was killed during the initial attack and another who was beheaded while in captivity.

Senator Ningi, while contributing to the debate, urged the government to ensure that the arrested suspects are not only prosecuted but also paraded before the public as a demonstration of accountability and a warning to other criminal elements. "Bauchi Central Senator, Abdul Ningi, urged the government to immediately parade and prosecute suspects arrested in connection with the kidnapping," Premium Times reported. He further proposed that the families of security personnel who died during the operation should be compensated and that the deceased officers should be promoted posthumously. The senator's call for public prosecution reflects growing frustration among Nigerians over the perceived leniency towards convicted criminals and the lack of visible deterrence against heinous crimes.

The Senate's plenary session was dominated by a motion presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, which commended President Tinubu and the security forces for the successful rescue operation. Bamidele disclosed that four security personnel lost their lives during the mission, including Lieutenant F. A. Isaac of the Nigerian Army, Private Silas Musa of the 81 Battalion, and Sergeant Abena John Jerome of the Nigeria Police Force. The Senate paid tribute to the fallen heroes and called for adequate trauma support for the rescued children and teachers. However, the session also took a critical turn when lawmakers condemned Governor Makinde's call for a UN-led investigation into the abduction, with Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) describing the governor's remarks as inconsistent with Nigeria's sovereignty and an attempt to politicise a successful military operation.

The Senate's rejection of Makinde's proposal was unequivocal. The upper chamber argued that seeking intervention from foreign organisations could undermine the federal government's efforts to tackle insecurity and diminish public confidence in Nigeria's institutions. The Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session, directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to transmit copies of the Senate's resolutions to President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the service chiefs. The Presidency had earlier condemned Makinde's call, aligning with the Senate's position that the matter remains a domestic security issue that should be handled by Nigerian authorities.

The debate also saw contributions from other senators who expressed diverse views on the broader security challenges facing the nation. Oyo North Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, whose constituency was directly affected by the abduction, commended the federal government and the military for the successful rescue operation. Kebbi Central Senator Adamu Aliero urged the government to invest in long-term solutions to insecurity, noting that incidents of schoolchildren abduction were becoming more frequent. Borno North Senator Tahir Monguno called on the government and military to apply the same level of commitment to securing the release of abducted schoolchildren in Borno State. These contributions underscored the widespread concern among lawmakers about the escalating trend of mass abductions targeting educational institutions across the country.

The abduction of the Oyo schoolchildren and teachers has once again highlighted the vulnerability of Nigeria's educational system to attacks by armed groups. The victims, who were rescued after 56 days in captivity, were subjected to brutal treatment, including being chained, blindfolded, and beaten. The principal of one of the schools confirmed that two male teachers were killed, one during the initial attack and a second while in captivity. The successful rescue operation, while a significant achievement, has also raised questions about the government's ability to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place. Governor Makinde's call for a UN investigation, though rejected by the Senate, reflects a growing sense of desperation among state governments that feel overwhelmed by the scale of insecurity.

Senator Ningi's demand for the immediate parade and prosecution of the arrested suspects resonates with a broader public sentiment that justice must be swift and visible to serve as a deterrent. The senator's proposal to compensate the families of fallen security personnel and promote them posthumously also highlights the need to recognise the sacrifices of those who risk their lives to protect others. As the rescued victims begin their journey toward recovery, with 31 of them already discharged from the LAUTECH Teaching Hospital in Ogbomoso and eight others, including a child with a congenital heart defect, remaining under medical observation, the nation continues to grapple with the painful reality of insecurity that has become a recurring nightmare for communities across Nigeria.

The Senate's resolution, which commends the security forces and rejects foreign intervention, signals a unified stance by lawmakers to address the security challenges through domestic efforts. However, the call by Senator Ningi and others for tangible action, including the prosecution of suspects and compensation for fallen heroes, serves as a reminder that words must be followed by deeds. As the suspects await trial, the families of the victims and the nation at large will be watching closely to see whether the government delivers on its promise of justice. For now, the rescued children and teachers are back with their families, but the scars of their ordeal, both physical and psychological, will take much longer to heal.

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