By Taiwo Scholarstica
Former Anambra State Governor and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying stronger and more decisive action should have been taken to secure their release.
Obi said that if he were President at the time of the incident, he would have personally led efforts to locate the victims and enter the forest where they were being held.
The former governor made the remarks during an interview on State of the Nation with Peter Obi, broadcast live on Afia TV’s Eastern Eye and hosted by Alex Ogbodo on Thursday.
The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026, when several pupils and teachers were kidnapped in Oyo State. The victims reportedly spent about 56 days in captivity before security forces eventually rescued them in July.
Obi questioned the length of time it took authorities to resolve the situation, arguing that the government should have moved swiftly to secure the release of the victims.
He also alleged that President Bola Tinubu did not personally contact Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde during the period the victims remained in captivity. According to Obi, the incident exposed the need for stronger coordination between the Federal Government and state authorities when dealing with security emergencies.
“Everybody in that bush will come out. Everybody. There might be casualties but everybody will come out,” Obi said, insisting that he would have taken direct responsibility for the operation.
He further criticised the secrecy surrounding security operations in the country, arguing that the public should be informed when suspected criminals are arrested or major security operations are successfully concluded.
Obi said transparency would help restore public confidence and allow Nigerians to see the results of government efforts to tackle insecurity.
Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Anambra State, he said his administration took direct steps to address criminal activities allegedly carried out in forests across the state. He recalled informing former President Olusegun Obasanjo about security concerns in one of the forests and seeking federal support to tackle the situation.
The former governor also referred to security operations carried out against suspected criminals during his time in office, stressing that leaders must be willing to take responsibility for difficult decisions.
He maintained that effective leadership requires a clear chain of command, arguing that those entrusted with authority must be prepared to act decisively, particularly when the safety and lives of citizens are at stake.