The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has urged the Federal Government to focus on preventing kidnappings rather than measuring success by the number of rescue operations carried out across the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party welcomed the rescue of the abducted pupils, teachers and other victims from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, but said many other Nigerians remain in captivity.
ADC commended the security agencies for securing the victims’ release after 56 days in captivity.
“We commend the security agencies and all those whose efforts made this rescue possible. Above all, we rejoice with the families whose long and traumatic wait has finally come to an end,” Abdullahi said.
The party, however, noted that schoolchildren abducted in Borno State and more than 100 kidnapped victims in Kaiama, Kwara State, are still being held by their captors and deserve the same level of urgency.
“The pupils abducted in Borno State remain in captivity, while more than 100 people kidnapped in Kaiama, Kwara State, are still being held by their abductors. Their suffering deserves the same urgency and national attention,” the statement added.
ADC argued that the country’s security performance should be judged by how well it prevents kidnappings rather than by rescue operations after attacks have occurred.
“The true measure of success is whether parents can send their children to school without fear, whether travellers can use our roads safely, and whether Nigerians can go about their daily lives free from the threat of kidnappers,” the party stated.
The opposition party also expressed concern that persistent insecurity is discouraging investment, slowing economic growth and weakening public confidence.
It called on the Federal Government to sustain the momentum that led to the Oyo rescue by intensifying efforts to free every Nigerian still in captivity.
ADC further urged the government to adopt a long-term security strategy focused on preventing attacks, strengthening intelligence gathering, improving coordination among security agencies and restoring security in vulnerable communities.
According to the party, while the rescue of the Oriire victims is commendable, true victory will only be achieved when every kidnapped Nigerian regains freedom.
Source: Statement by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
