Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has cautioned political leaders and stakeholders against politicising the recent school abduction incident in Oyo State, urging authorities to focus on strengthening security measures and ensuring the safety of citizens.
Falana made the call while reacting to public debates surrounding the abduction, stressing that the growing insecurity affecting schools and communities across the country requires collective action rather than political blame games.
According to him, the primary concern should be the protection of students, teachers, and other vulnerable members of society. He noted that turning security incidents into political contests distracts attention from the urgent need to address the root causes of insecurity and improve the country's security architecture.p>
The senior lawyer expressed concern over the increasing cases of kidnappings and attacks targeting schools in different parts of Nigeria, warning that such incidents pose a serious threat to education and national development. He urged security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response operations to prevent future occurrences.
Falana also called on federal and state governments to work closely with local communities, traditional rulers, and security stakeholders to strengthen preventive measures around educational institutions. He emphasized that schools should remain safe environments where children can learn without fear.
The legal practitioner further appealed to political actors to avoid making inflammatory statements capable of creating tension or undermining ongoing security efforts. Instead, he urged leaders to unite in support of initiatives aimed at protecting lives and restoring public confidence.
Security experts have echoed similar concerns, noting that school-related abductions can have long-term social and psychological effects on students, parents, and communities. They stressed the importance of investing in school security infrastructure and improving coordination among security agencies.
Meanwhile, residents and education stakeholders have continued to call for stronger government intervention to safeguard schools and prevent future attacks. Many believe that a coordinated national strategy is needed to tackle kidnapping, banditry, and other security threats affecting educational institutions.
Falana concluded by urging authorities to prioritize concrete security solutions, arguing that the safety of Nigerian children should remain above politics. He maintained that protecting lives and ensuring access to education must be a shared responsibility for all levels of government and society.
