Presidency Questions Atiku’s Silence After Release of Abducted Oyo Pupils

The Presidency has questioned why former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has remained silent following the rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oyo State.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that armed attackers had raided three schools in the Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, abducting 39 students and six teachers.

One teacher was killed during the initial attack, and another died in captivity.

After 56 days, a joint team of security agencies rescued all the remaining hostages on Friday, arresting eight suspects and killing several others. 

Reacting following the rescue, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, criticized Atiku’s lack of response on his X account on Saturday.

“Almost 18 hours after the Oriire pupils and their teachers regained their freedom, Atiku Abubakar @atiku has not deemed it fit to rejoice with the Tinubu Federal Government, the security agencies and the traumatised victims,” Onanuga wrote.

He suggested the opposition leader was quick to speak on the issue only when using it for political leverage.

“Previously, he weaponised the kidnap as a campaign issue several times since it happened 57 days ago. Now that the abductees are out, all is quiet on Atiku’s internet lane. No comment. No words of praise. Maybe the veteran presidential runner is waiting for some bad news to attack the Tinubu administration.”

Onanuga compared Atiku’s silence with the response from Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

“Kudos to Peter Obi: at least he has spoken and called for thanksgiving without commending the commander-in-chief,” Onanuga noted.

Obi had posted on Saturday morning to share his relief over the safe rescue, thanking the security personnel in his message.

“I am greatly relieved and delighted to learn of the safe rescue of the schoolchildren who were kidnapped. I sincerely thank all those whose tireless efforts made their freedom possible, especially the security personnel and everyone who worked behind the scenes.”

However, Obi also noted that the incident shows the need to improve the country’s safety measures. “The recurring incidents of kidnapping, particularly of schoolchildren, underscore the urgent need to strengthen our security architecture.”