A coalition of civil society organizations has called on security agencies to investigate allegations made by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, concerning the abduction of schoolchildren and their teachers in Oyo State.
The group, Coalition of South East Civil Society Organizations for Secured Nigeria, said Fayose’s claims linking the abduction to political actors warrant thorough investigation in the interest of public safety and national security.
According to the coalition, Fayose had alleged that the kidnapping of the schoolchildren and their teachers was part of a broader political plot aimed at discrediting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and undermining his political standing ahead of future elections.
Addressing journalists, the coalition stated that such allegations are too serious to be dismissed without scrutiny, particularly given the continued captivity of the victims and the widespread concern generated by the incident.
“The safety and freedom of the kidnapped schoolchildren and their teachers should remain the foremost priority. Any individual with information capable of aiding their rescue has a moral and civic responsibility to cooperate fully with security agencies,” the group said.
The coalition noted that Nigeria continues to grapple with serious security challenges, including kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism, stressing that public figures must exercise caution when making statements that could influence public perception or ongoing security efforts.
It urged Fayose to provide any evidence or intelligence supporting his allegations to relevant authorities rather than limiting such claims to public discourse.
“If the former governor possesses credible information regarding those responsible for the abduction, such information should be made available to law enforcement agencies to facilitate investigations and the safe rescue of the victims,” the statement added.
The group further called on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant security agencies to invite Fayose to clarify the basis of his allegations and assist ongoing efforts to uncover the facts surrounding the incident.
According to the coalition, such a step should be viewed as part of standard investigative procedures aimed at establishing the truth and ensuring accountability.
The organization maintained that the lives of the abducted children and their teachers remain of utmost importance and should not become subjects of political controversy.
It therefore urged all stakeholders to prioritize the rescue of the victims and support security agencies in their efforts to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.
