Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Friday, urged security forces to prioritize the rescue of students kidnapped from the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Okene, Kogi state.
Obi expressed concern that the kidnapping of the students is a sign that Nigeria’s security forces are under significant strain.
In a sequence of tweets, Obi stated: “Once more, our children’s education in the country has been hindered with another incursion and kidnapping of students by bandits at the Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, Okene, Kogi state on Thursday.
“The alarming reports of the terror assault on the University by armed bandits resulted in numerous students reportedly kidnapped. This distressing news adds another layer of suffering to a nation already burdened by insecurity.
“It is heartbreaking that our children, who were studying for their exams, would end up in captivity, in such a distressing way. This is unacceptable and must be denounced in the strongest terms through decisive and purposeful action.
“An assault on our students is an assault on education. While we are still grieving over the 18.5 million children out of school as reported by UNICEF, largely due to insecurity in the country, and the very low enrolment of students at the tertiary levels, we are now faced with a situation where our students are being attacked, further exacerbating the educational crisis in the nation. I restate, and firmly so, that the government must prioritize the security of lives and property.
“Our national existence is seriously jeopardized by insecurity, and every sector of our nation is burdened by this dreadful menace. We must not allow our blessed country to continue this perilous journey through terror, destruction, and avoidable deaths.
“For the sake of our children who were kidnapped, and for the sake of every Nigerian who deserves a peaceful and progressive nation, I implore the government and the security agencies to do whatever is necessary to rescue these children and put an end to the menace of insecurity.”
