The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to extend the exact same urgency and operational commitment that secured the release of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State to victims who remain in captivity in Borno and Kwara states.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party warned against a selective approach to rescue operations. While the ADC commended the security agencies and celebrated the immense relief brought to families of the Oyo victims after their harrowing 56-day ordeal, it insisted that the government must treat every single kidnapping case across the country with equal importance.

The party specifically highlighted that pupils abducted in Borno State back in May remain in captivity, while more than 100 people kidnapped in Kaiama, Kwara State, have been held by criminals for several months. The ADC argued that the suffering of these forgotten citizens deserves the same national determination and strategic attention that successfully brought the Oriire victims home.

Furthermore, the statement maintained that while successful rescues are worth celebrating, they should not become the primary benchmark for assessing national security performance.

The ADC noted that every kidnapping serves as a stark reminder that the primary duty of government is preventative, ensuring that citizens are adequately protected so they are not taken in the first place.