ONANUGA CRITICISES ATIKU OVER SILENCE ON OYO PUPILS’ RESCUE
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticised former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for failing to react to the release of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In a post on his X account on Saturday, Onanuga said nearly 18 hours after the victims regained their freedom, Atiku had yet to acknowledge the development despite repeatedly criticising the Federal Government while they were in captivity.
According to him, the former vice president had consistently used the abduction to criticise the Tinubu administration but had remained silent following the successful rescue.
Onanuga questioned Atiku’s silence, suggesting he had previously turned the kidnapping into a political issue and was now unwilling to commend the government, security agencies or celebrate with the rescued victims.
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He, however, praised the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for welcoming the release of the pupils and teachers, noting that although Obi did not directly commend President Tinubu, he called for thanksgiving over their safe return.
The 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted on May 15 after gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The incident sparked nationwide outrage and protests by the Nigerian Union of Teachers and other stakeholders, especially after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by the kidnappers.
During the period of captivity, Atiku repeatedly urged the Federal Government to prioritise the victims’ rescue, criticising what he described as the administration’s inadequate response. He also faulted the distribution of relief materials to affected families, insisting that rescuing the victims should have remained the government’s primary focus.
He further accused the administration of appearing more concerned with political engagements than addressing the security crisis and questioned the response of First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to the incident.
Announcing the victims’ release on Friday, Onanuga disclosed that the operation was carried out without negotiating with the kidnappers. He said eight suspected members of the gang had been arrested and handed over to the Department of State Services (DSS), while several others were killed during the operation. He also revealed that the gang leader whose release had been demanded by the kidnappers remained in custody and was facing prosecution.
Reacting to the rescue, Peter Obi expressed relief and thanked security personnel and everyone involved in securing the victims’ freedom. He, however, stressed that the successful operation should not distract from the broader challenge of insecurity and kidnapping across the country.
President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also welcomed the successful rescue, with the President commending the military, DSS and the police for securing the victims’ release without making concessions to the abductors.
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