Commends swift response to Oyo school abduction, calls for forest guards deployment, regional security summit, and stronger support for IDPs in banditry-hit states

The Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative has commended the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for its swift and decisive response to the recent abduction of school children in Oyo State, describing the action as a demonstration of strong leadership, compassion, and commitment to national security.

The group particularly applauded the Federal Government for its rapid intervention, including sending a high-powered delegation to Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, following the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

The delegation, acting on the directive of President Tinubu, conveyed the President’s deep concern over the incident and his unwavering commitment to ensuring the safe and swift rescue of all abducted victims.

As part of immediate and proactive measures, the Federal Government approved the recruitment and deployment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State in collaboration with the state government, an initiative widely praised as a strategic step toward strengthening internal security and improving surveillance in vulnerable forest areas.

Reacting to the development, the National President of the Arewa Cohesion for Peace, Unity and Development Initiative, Dr. Abdullahi Idris, commended President Tinubu and the Federal Government for what he described as “a timely, courageous, and highly commendable intervention that reflects genuine concern for the safety of Nigerian children and citizens.”

Dr. Idris further noted that the Federal Government’s response demonstrates renewed commitment to tackling insecurity and protecting education, particularly in vulnerable communities.

He, however, called for the replication of similar security measures across Northern Nigeria, where persistent cases of kidnapping and banditry continue to threaten peace, education, agriculture, and economic development.

According to him, the deployment of forest guards should be expanded to high-risk areas across the country in order to strengthen early response, improve intelligence gathering, and ensure the safe rescue of all kidnapped citizens.

Dr. Idris also urged Nigerians to support the government and security agencies through prayers, cooperation, and timely information sharing, stressing that collective responsibility is essential in defeating banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

He further called on Northern leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and the Northern Governors’ Forum to urgently convene a security summit aimed at developing sustainable solutions to insecurity in the region.

While commending the Nigerian Armed Forces for their gallant efforts in combating terrorism and banditry, he expressed appreciation for their sacrifices in safeguarding lives and property across the country.  

He called on Humanitarian organizations  to be supporting internally displaced persons IDPs   affected by activities of banditry and kidnapping and terrorism  that were forced to migrate from their indigenous places to news places most especially in zamfara, Katsina, Niger state, and some part of the North.