The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the immediate and safe rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State.
In a statement signed on Saturday by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the group warned that failure to meet the deadline would constitute a serious breach of the government’s constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of citizens.
The abduction occurred on Friday, May 16, 2026, when armed men attacked school communities in the Ahoro-Esinle axis of Oriire Local Government Area, taking dozens of pupils and several teachers hostage.
More than two weeks later, the victims remain in captivity despite ongoing security operations.HURIWA expressed alarm over what it described as the government’s slow response to the crisis.
The group criticised President Tinubu for celebrating the Sallah holiday with his family while the abducted children and teachers continue to suffer in captivity.
“It is sad that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was shown during the last Sallah holiday enjoying the religious ceremony with his equally happy grandchildren, but it is timely to remind the President that the Oyo State children held in bondage are our own children and kinsmen,” the statement said.
The rights group invoked Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. It urged the President, as Commander-in-Chief, to personally ensure the immediate release of all the victims.
HURIWA also backed ongoing protests by parents, teachers, and civil society groups in Ibadan, while criticising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) for what it called a weak response to the abduction of educators and students.
The group described the incident as an attack on education and Nigeria’s future, warning against the normalisation of school abductions across the country.
Security agencies and the Oyo State Government have said efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the victims.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com