The senator representing Bauchi Central, Abdul Ningi, on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to immediately parade and prosecute suspects arrested over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, warning that any delay in bringing them to justice could undermine public confidence in the nation’s security and judicial systems.
Ningi made the call during plenary in the Senate while reacting to the recent rescue of 44 hostages kidnapped from an Oriire community school in Oyo State.
He said the prosecution of the suspects would serve as a deterrent to other criminal groups involved in kidnapping across the country.
“What is important going forward is that those arrested must be paraded and prosecuted. The law should be allowed to take its full course,” the lawmaker said.
“Delayed prosecution will create the impression that something is wrong. I therefore call on the security agencies to prosecute them, parade them and make them an example.”
The senator commended the security agencies for successfully rescuing the victims in an intelligence-led operation but called on the Oyo State Government to provide psychological support for the traumatised pupils.
According to him, the emotional scars left by the ordeal could have lasting effects on the children if not properly addressed.
“When you see toddlers subjected to such an experience, you begin to wonder how they will grow up to build Nigeria. The Oyo State Government should engage psychologists to help the children recover from the trauma,” he said.
Ningi also urged the Federal Government to adequately compensate security personnel who lost their lives during the rescue mission, describing their sacrifice as a demonstration of patriotism.
“We have had several rescue operations in the past, but this one clearly reflects a united Nigerian effort. Looking at the officers who paid the supreme price, regardless of their ethnic or religious backgrounds, it is evident that this operation was carried out in the national interest,” he said.
He stressed that the abduction was driven purely by criminal motives rather than religious or ethnic considerations.
“This incident has nothing to do with religion. It is about money and criminal enterprise,” he added.
The senator’s remarks followed the rescue of 44 hostages last Friday in an operation coordinated by multiple security agencies, including the Department of State Services and the Nigerian military.
Despite the successful operation, two of the seven abducted teachers were reportedly killed while in captivity.
The Nigerian Army had earlier disclosed that the rescue was made possible through intelligence gathering and the arrest of individuals linked to the kidnappers.
The military also stated that the operation was carefully executed to avoid civilian casualties, although some security personnel lost their lives in the process.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the United Nations and other international organisations to investigate the circumstances surrounding the abduction, identify security lapses and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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