A former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, has described the killing of one of the kidnapped teachers abducted during the attack on schools in Oyo State as not just a security challenge but a “failure of collective humanity”.
Obi’s reaction to the menace comes on the heels of President Bola Tinubu on Monday assuring that all victims abducted during the attack will be rescued.
Bandits invaded the Esiele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State last Friday, abducting staff, students, and pupils of Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.
According to the statement, security operatives are working around the clock to rescue the victims and apprehend the bandits and their collaborators within the community.
Reacting to the incident and others, Obi, in a post on his X handle titled ‘A Nation Losing Its HUMANITY’ late Monday, decried the incident and tagged it a sign of moral and social decay.
“Some events shatter a society so deeply that words are no longer enough to express the shock; the brutal killing of a teacher and the horrific rape and murder of an elderly woman are among such tragedies.
“These are not isolated incidents but signs of deeper moral and social decay. How did we get here? How did we reach a point where teachers are hunted and killed, and the elderly—custodians of memory and wisdom—suffer such dehumanising violence?
“This is more than a security crisis; it is a failure of collective humanity. We have become desensitised, consuming tragedy briefly and moving on, allowing indifference to normalise the unacceptable”, he wrote.
He mourned the victims and demanded accountability and urgent systemic change.
“To the families affected, I share in your grief. But grief alone is not enough. We must demand accountability and urgent systemic change. If such atrocities no longer move us to action, then we risk losing our shared humanity”.
READ ALSO: School Abduction: We Will Not Give In To Terror, Makinde Declares
Makinde Confirms Killing
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, confirmed the killing of one of the teachers abducted alongside other victims and pledged that the government would continue efforts to rescue the remaining abductees.
He said that seven teachers and an as-yet-unconfirmed number of pupils were abducted.
The governor said one of the abducted teachers, believed to be a Mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists.
“What we know right now is that seven teachers were abducted. Unfortunately, we received a video this morning indicating that one of the teachers, understood to be the Mathematics teacher, was killed by the terrorists. Our prayers are with the family,” Makinde said.
Teachers Protest
Meanwhile, teachers in Ogbomoso shut down classroom activities on Monday. They staged a peaceful protest at the TESCOM office in the town over the kidnapping of students and teachers, which resulted in the killing of one teacher.
The protesters marched with placards bearing various inscriptions, calling on governments at all levels to intensify efforts toward securing the release of those currently being held captive by kidnappers.
The teachers also demanded improved security around schools and safer learning environments for both staff and students.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Assures Rescue Of Oyo Kidnap Victims, Condemns Killing Of Teacher
We Will Not Give In To Terror, Makinde Declares
Makinde, who spoke to journalists in Ibadan on Monday, maintained that the state would not bow to intimidation.
“We will not give in to terror. We will do everything possible to ensure that our children and their teachers are returned safely,” he stated.
He said the state government remained committed to exploring every lawful means to secure the release of the abducted students and teachers.
“So, whatever it is they demand, we are ready to listen to them and address the ones we can address as a state government. But the children and their teachers must be released immediately,” he said.
Tinubu Assures Rescue Of Victims
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the killing of one of the abducted teachers as barbaric and sympathised with Governor Makinde, the government, and the people of Oyo State over the incident.
“I am saddened by the reported killing of one of the teachers kidnapped by the gunmen who invaded the community. I sympathise with Governor Seyi Makinde and commend the steps he has taken on the matter. I sympathise with the families of the kidnapped victims.
“The Federal Government is working with the Oyo State government to rescue all the victims. I commend the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioners of Police in Oyo and Kwara States for their quick intervention and the deployment of a tactical and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) team to rescue the victims.
“The IGP, following my instructions, is personally leading the tech-driven operation. We expect a breakthrough soon. The bandits and all their local collaborators will be fished out and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“Cases of kidnapping further make imperative the establishment of state police to man some of our underserved areas. The National Assembly should accelerate the enactment of the law creating state police,” the President said.
The post Nigeria Losing Its Humanity, Obi Reacts To Oyo Teacher Killing, Demands Accountability appeared first on Channels Television.
