OUR CHILDREN MUST COME HOME: ELECTED LEADERS MUST TREAT THIS AS THEIR HIGHEST DUTY By Engr Adekunle Adebayo

The reported abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State is not merely another security incident. It is a painful reminder of the primary responsibility entrusted to every elected government official in Nigeria: the protection of lives and property. When public office holders take the oath of office, they commit themselves to serving the people and safeguarding their welfare. Citizens do not elect governments merely to build roads, commission projects, or deliver speeches. The first duty of government is security. Without security, every other achievement becomes secondary. Today, families across Oyo State are living through a nightmare. Parents who sent their children to school in pursuit of a better future now wait anxiously for news of their safe return. Teachers who dedicated their lives to educating young minds have become victims of the very insecurity that threatens our collective future. This situation demands more than routine statements and assurances. It requires urgency, determination, and relentless action. The rescue of these innocent children and teachers must become a top priority for all relevant authorities until they regain their freedom and return safely to their families. Nigeria has witnessed too many painful cases of abduction over the years. The memory of the Chibok schoolgirls remains a painful chapter in our national history. Many families affected by kidnappings and abductions across different parts of the country continue to seek closure, answers, and justice. Each unresolved case leaves scars on families and communities and weakens public confidence in the ability of the state to protect its citizens. That is why every new abduction must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. We cannot allow any victim to become another forgotten statistic. Every child matters. Every teacher matters. Every citizen matters. I therefore call on Governor Seyi Makinde, security agencies, and all relevant authorities to intensify efforts toward the safe recovery of the victims. Intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, community engagement, and all lawful security measures should be deployed to achieve this objective. The people of Oyo State are not asking for miracles. They are asking for leadership. They are asking for commitment. They are asking for visible action that demonstrates that the lives of ordinary citizens remain a priority. Beyond the immediate rescue effort, this incident should trigger a comprehensive review of security around schools and vulnerable communities. Our schools must remain places of learning, not places of fear. Parents should be able to send their children to school with confidence, and teachers should be able to perform their duties without living under constant threat. History will judge leaders not only by the projects they build but also by how effectively they protect the people entrusted to their care. Today, Oyo State stands united in prayer and hope for the safe return of these children and teachers. But hope alone is not enough. It must be matched by action. The message from the people is clear: Bring our children home. Bring our teachers home. Strengthen the security of our schools. Protect the lives and property of the people. Nothing should be more important than the safe return of these innocent victims and the restoration of public confidence that every citizen deserves to live, learn, and work in safety.