Growing unease surrounds the federal government’s approach to recent school kidnappings. This unease stems from the contrasting reactions to attacks in Oyo and Borno states, which have sparked accusations of unequal treatment.
On May 16, armed groups struck schools in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area, taking roughly 46 pupils and teachers. Simultaneously, suspected Boko Haram militants abducted 42 students from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Borno State’s Askira/Uba Local Government Area. These twin incidents, occurring within hours, represent some of the year’s most notable school abductions.
However, the government’s response has drawn sharp criticism. In Oyo, President Bola Tinubu swiftly ordered coordinated rescue missions and dispatched a high-powered federal delegation led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and other top officials. The delegation visited Ogbomoso and the affected communities on May 31, conveying presidential concern and promising swift action. As an immediate measure, Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo and deployed a specialized security rescue unit.
In contrast, the Borno abduction has received comparatively muted national attention. Weeks after the attack, 42 students remain in captivity, and residents of Askira/Uba and Southern Borno express deep frustration over what they perceive as neglect. Civil society organizations, including the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State, have publicly decried the disparity. Chairman Abubakar Suleiman noted that no similar high-level delegation has visited Borno, despite its chronic insecurity. Political analyst Abubakar Kareto echoed this, observing that the Oyo incident prompted immediate high-level action, while Borno’s tragedy elicited only routine condemnations. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana urged President Tinubu to extend the same security measures—including forest guard recruitment and a federal delegation—to Borno, emphasizing that all regions deserve equal protection.
Meanwhile, the Borno State Government has visited affected communities and assured residents of ongoing rescue efforts, but fear persists. Security experts argue that while rescues are critical, prevention through intelligence, surveillance, and community-based security must be uniformly implemented across regions facing similar threats.