The Muslim Congress (TMC) has called for the immediate rescue of students and teachers abducted in Oyo State, urging the government to intensify efforts to secure their release while advocating the establishment of state police as a long-term solution to the country’s worsening security challenges.
Growing Insecurity Concerns
The Islamic organisation said the recent abduction, which claimed lives while several victims remain in captivity, underscores the growing insecurity confronting schools and communities across Nigeria. In a statement issued on Monday by its Amir (President), Alhaji AbdulWasi’i Bangbala, TMC warned that the rising spate of kidnappings and attacks across the country has reached an alarming level and can no longer be treated as isolated incidents.
The group lamented that insecurity has become a recurring reality for many Nigerians, noting that reports of abductions and killings now generate more fear than surprise among citizens. “For many Nigerians, the news of another abduction, another killing, another community thrown into mourning no longer comes as a shocking headline but as a grim expectation,” the statement said.
Vulnerability of Educational Institutions
According to the organisation, the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State highlights the vulnerability of educational institutions and demonstrates that no part of the country can presently be considered completely safe. TMC also expressed concern over reports suggesting that the number of abducted persons may be higher than officially stated, including claims that a two-year-old child was among those kidnapped and remains unaccounted for.
While acknowledging reports that security agencies are working to secure the victims’ release, the group stressed that more decisive action is required to ensure their safe return. It urged the authorities to provide regular updates on rescue efforts and ensure that arrested suspects are properly investigated and prosecuted to strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
Call for State Police
The organisation renewed its call for the creation of state police, arguing that the current centralised security architecture is overstretched and unable to effectively address the growing threat of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes. TMC also advocated the activation and proper equipping of local security initiatives, including Forest Guards, particularly in forest corridors believed to serve as hideouts for criminal gangs.
The group urged state governments to improve security around schools through the deployment of modern surveillance systems and comprehensive security audits, especially for educational institutions located in vulnerable areas. It also called for the revival and adequate funding of the Safe Schools Initiative to reassure parents, teachers and students of their safety.
Urgent Action Required
Reiterating the need for urgency, TMC said governments at all levels must move beyond assurances and take concrete steps to end the wave of abductions across the country. “The government must respond with decisive action rather than words alone so that this painful chapter can come to an end and peace can be restored,” the statement added.
The organisation maintained that its intervention was driven by concern over the safety of citizens and the future of education, pledging to continue advocating the safe release of all abducted persons and stronger protection for schools and communities.
