Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured teachers in the territory that security agencies are working round the clock, to secure the release of teachers and pupils who were recently abducted from schools in Oyo State.
Wike, who spoke on Tuesday when members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, staged a solidarity protest at the FCT Administration Secretariat, over the continued captivity of the victims, however cautioned against politicising the country’s security challenges.
The protest is part of a nationwide action by teachers and civil society organisations, following the abduction of seven teachers and dozens of infants and children who were kidnapped from their schools in Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, on May 15.
But addressing demonstrators in Abuja, the FCT minister said the Federal Government and security agencies were not indifferent to the plight of the victims and their families. He expressed confidence in the ability of security agencies to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils and urged that the process be handled with urgency.
“We are all concerned about this security situation. The government is on its toes to ensure that those who are kidnapped are rescued.
“I have that confidence that the security system will do all they can to make sure the teachers and the students that are being kidnapped are rescued, and let it be prompt.”
While acknowledging the concerns raised by the protesters, the minister warned against turning security issues into political contests.
“We are all concerned, but let us not politicise issues. That is what I will not support. We are all concerned about the security situation and how the teachers and students should be released,” he said.
According to him, insecurity remains a challenge that affects every part of the country and should be confronted collectively rather than through political divisions.
“There is no government that will deliberately say let citizens be kidnapped, but we know where we found ourselves and we know that everything possible is being done.”
Wike also called for a united national response to insecurity, saying every Nigerian has a stake in ensuring that victims of kidnapping are rescued regardless of where such incidents occur.
“What concerns you concerns everybody, and what concerns Abuja also concerns everybody. We are all looking at how people should rise up with the same dedication,” he said.
Teachers across the country have embarked on protests and industrial actions following a directive by the Nigeria Union of Teachers demanding the immediate rescue of their abducted colleagues and pupils, many of whom have now spent more than two weeks in captivity.
Security agencies have continued rescue operations in the affected communities, while the Federal Government has repeatedly assured families that efforts are ongoing to secure the victims’ safe return.
