Oyo abduction: Actors, Actresses demand swift rescue of students, teachers
Actors and Actresses under the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) have called for the swift rescue of school children and teachers in Oyo State recently abducted.
Recall that armed gunmen raided three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Community High School in Ahoro-Esiele, Esiele Primary School, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School abducting roughly 32 individuals.
The gravity of the situation escalated significantly following reports that Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher taken during the raid, was murdered by his captors.
Distressed by the prolonged captivity of the victims and what she viewed as apathy from public officials, the 83-year-old actress shared an emotional video on her Instagram account on Monday.
The Ogun State native expressed deep concern that leadership has shown a lack of urgency, noting that despite citizens’ collective prayers, the crisis has spiraled out of control.
“We are appealing to our leaders to find a lasting solution to the abduction of these students and educators in Oyo State. What crime have these innocent toddlers committed? We beg you to prioritize this crisis immediately. Nigeria is hurting. Citizens are waking up to terror instead of hope. Communities are devastated by a continuous wave of violence, kidnappings, and banditry. Mothers are burying their young, children are losing their parents, and entire towns are forced into silence because they feel completely defenseless,” she pleaded.
The actress, celebrated for her performance in the movie Agbelebu, criticized the Tinubu administration for failing to adequately address the public’s distress.
She emphasized that authentic leadership hinges on accountability rather than the exercise of power.
“A government’s primary obligation is the preservation of life and peace. The Nigerian public isn’t demanding miracles just safety, justice, and real action. Our leaders must listen to the fears gripping our villages and cities. Students are terrified of classrooms, farmers dread their fields, and commuters fear the highways. Enough with unfulfilled commitments while lives are lost. Every Nigerian deserves to live without constant terror. This moment requires decisive action and bravery, not political posturing,” Iya Rainbow asserted.
She added that history judges leaders by their concrete responses to national tragedies rather than the eloquence of their speeches, concluding with a call for national healing and restoration.
Echoing these sentiments, TAMPAN President Bolaji “Mr. Latin” Amusan released an official statement on Monday via his social media platform, urging security forces to fast-track rescue operations.
“TAMPAN stands with well-meaning Nigerians to demand that security agencies scale up their operations to ensure the immediate, safe return of these pupils and their instructors. Learning spaces must be secure, and teachers require protection. We offer our full support and prayers to the grieving families during this harrowing time,” Amusan stated.
This collective push follows previous statements from high-profile artists and musicians including Davido, Toyin Abraham, Kunle Remi, and ID Cabasa who expressed profound grief over how commonplace extreme violence has become in the country.
They openly questioned the safety of citizens under the current administration while calling for swift intervention to bring the hostages home safely.