Oyo, Borno Abductions: ‘No nation thrives when children are hunted’ — Gbenga Hashim

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — Former presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Hashim, has condemned the abduction of schoolchildren in Borno State and the coordinated attacks on schools in Oyo State, warning that repeated attacks on learning institutions were pushing fear deeper into communities and putting the future of thousands of children at risk.

The attacks, which targeted Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State and several schools in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area, have intensified concerns over growing insecurity around schools and the vulnerability of rural communities to armed attacks.

In a statement on Monday, the former presidential candidate described the incidents as a ‘brutal assault’ on Nigeria’s future and called for an urgent national response to protect schoolchildren and reassure frightened families and communities.

“Schools must never become theatres of fear,” Hashim said, warning that repeated attacks on schools could deepen insecurity and leave lasting scars across generations.

The affected schools in Oyo State include Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, all within the Ogbomosho axis.

Hashim urged the Federal Government and security agencies to move swiftly to secure the safe rescue of the abducted children, saying the attacks had once again exposed weaknesses in Nigeria’s rural security structure, where armed groups continue to exploit poor state presence and unprotected communities.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder that tactical victories alone cannot secure the nation,” he said, referring to the recent killing of an ISIS commander during a joint Nigerian–US operation.

He said military gains would achieve little without stronger intelligence coordination, tighter border control, expanded rural security and targeted support for vulnerable communities.

Hashim also urged the international community not to ignore the worsening security situation in Northern Nigeria, cautioning that the crisis could spill beyond Nigeria into the wider West and Central African region.

“The world must not become desensitised,” he said.

He also sympathised with affected families, warning that repeated attacks on schools were steadily eroding confidence in education and public safety.

“No nation can thrive when its children are hunted and its schools are under siege,” Hashim said.

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