By George Ozalla
President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday expressed grief over the abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State, describing the incident as a national tragedy and calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still in captivity.
Akpabio spoke at the resumption of Senate plenary after a four-week recess, during which lawmakers returned to their constituencies and participated in party primaries.
According to a press statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Anietie Ekong, the Senate President told his colleagues that the Red Chamber was reconvening under painful circumstances.
He said the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers was not only an attack on innocent citizens but an assault on the nation’s collective humanity.
“We mourn because if we cannot protect our children we imperil our future. We mourn because a nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its teachers weakens the very foundations upon which education rests,” Akpabio stated.
The Senate President lamented the death of Mr. Michael Oyedokun, who reportedly died in captivity, and Mr. Adesiyan Adegboye, who lost his life during the attack. He also mourned a child who was killed in the incident.
He said the Senate shared the pain of the bereaved families, noting that their loss had become a loss for the entire nation.
Akpabio, however, expressed optimism that those still being held would regain their freedom through the efforts of the government and security agencies.
He further stated that politicians and aspirants must resist the temptation of exploiting national tragedies for political advantage, stressing that insecurity should never be reduced to partisan contest.
“Those who kidnap our children, terrorize our communities, and murder innocent citizens do not distinguish between party, faith, or ethnicity. Their assault is directed against Nigeria itself,” he said.
The Senate President added that the fight against banditry and terrorism required unity and collective resolve, urging Nigerians to support measures aimed at strengthening security across the country.
He also stressed the need to protect schools and communities while ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes face justice.
Akpabio extended the condolences of the Senate to the bereaved families, the affected school community, and the government and people of Oyo State.
