The doubting Thomases, amnesty for terrorists, a region’s neglect of its children, and all.
Years ago, King Sunny Ade sang that no matter what you do, you can never please your sworn enemy. Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey echoed similar sentiments in his song *Ketekete*. When some people see an elephant and insist they only saw “something,” it reveals exactly where they stand.
I had promised to return fully to the Oriire abduction saga, and I deliberately begin from the standpoint of those who find it difficult to accept the reality that Nigeria’s military and other security agencies successfully rescued the captives after 56 days in the hands of terrorists.
THE ORIIRE ABDUCTION
On May 15, gunmen invaded Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; Primary School, Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, all in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. They abducted 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers.
For 56 harrowing days, these innocent victims including toddlers as young as two years old endured unimaginable hardship. The children were reportedly flogged whenever they cried, as the abductors feared their noise might alert security forces. Male captives were blindfolded, handcuffed, and chained for extended periods. The group was forced to trek through thick forests at night, exposed to harsh weather, and barely fed, surviving mainly on water from waterfalls. Thankfully, the female captives were spared sexual harassment.
Tragically, two captives were murdered: Mathematics teacher Mr. Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded for refusing to surrender his phone, and Deacon John Olaleye. The terrorists killed them in a bid to pressure the government into meeting their outrageous demands, which included a N1 billion ransom, the release of detained terror commanders (such as Mahmud Usman and Abubakar Abba), two Hilux vans, and the implementation of Sharia law.
The government refused to yield to these demands. Instead, security agencies intensified pressure on the captors by arresting some of their family members, sending a clear message that the criminals’ loved ones would not be spared the same suffering they inflicted on others. This strategy, combined with advanced technology and coordinated operations, eventually led to the successful rescue of the hostages.
It is deeply troubling that some individuals continue to cast doubt on the authenticity of this rescue operation. The willingness to play politics with the lives of children and teachers exposes the dangerous depths of partisan bitterness in our country.
REGIONAL REALITIES AND COMPARISONS
Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for the United Nations and human rights groups to investigate the matter has also raised eyebrows, especially given questions about why he appeared unaware of operational details. Sensitive security operations of this nature are not typically disclosed to everyone, regardless of position.
Attempts to equate the Oriire incident with the routine kidnappings in northern Nigeria are either born out of ignorance or deliberate mischief. Mass abductions of schoolchildren have sadly become almost normalised in parts of the north, but they remain alien to the Southwest. The Oriire incident should serve as a wake-up call for regional leaders to be more proactive in tackling insecurity before it escalates.
The deeper crisis in the north stems largely from decades of neglect particularly the failure to educate children. As far back as the mid-1980s, media outlets like The Punch had warned about the unsustainability of a system that encourages high birth rates without corresponding investment in education. Many of today’s bandits and terrorists are products of that systemic failure. Some northern leaders appear to suffer from guilty conscience, which explains their preference for kid-glove treatment and frequent amnesty programmes for terrorists a policy many Nigerians now oppose.
It is unfair to blame a three-year-old administration for a problem that began in 2009 during the Jonathan era and worsened under the eight-year Buhari administration. The difference is stark: Niger Delta militancy was largely a reaction to marginalisation and resource injustice, while Boko Haram and banditry were largely homegrown by northern elite dynamics.
A CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROGRESS
The Southwest’s strong cultural emphasis on education even at great personal sacrifice explains why its people will not tolerate any attempt to destroy the future of their children. This spirit must be sustained and defended.
The recent decision to prosecute bandits’ wives who actively supported criminal activities is a welcome development. Northern governors who are now prioritising education for their children deserve commendation. Such efforts, combined with genuine socio-economic interventions, are essential to breaking the cycle of violence.
As we celebrate the successful rescue at Oriire, we must honour the security personnel who risked — and in some cases lost their lives. Special mention goes to Major-General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife, GOC 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, who led the ground operation, as well as Lieutenant F.A. Isaac and other gallant officers.
We commiserate with the families who lost loved ones during the ordeal. And we must not forget the many other Nigerians still held in captivity across the country. Their safe return remains a national priority.
Let the doubting Thomases continue to sulk. The rest of us will remain grateful to the brave men and women who ensured that Oriire did not end in tragedy.