The Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) has urged the Federal Government to replicate the intelligence-driven strategy used to free 39 abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State from their abductors.
ACOE explained that the call for the replication has become necessary in order to rescue other Nigerians still being held by kidnappers, particularly the students abducted from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, in Borno State.
The association noted that the successful operation in Oyo State by combined security agencies demonstrated that Nigeria possesses the capacity to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes through effective intelligence gathering, coordination and sustained security operations.
In a statement signed on Monday by ACOE Chairman, Sola Akingboye, the association commended President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), other security agencies and members of the local communities for the operation, which secured the victims’ freedom after 56 days in captivity.
According to the association, the rescue has renewed public confidence in the nation’s security architecture and should serve as a model for future operations across the country.
“The successful rescue of the abducted pupils, students and teachers in Oyo State has shown that with determination, professionalism and actionable intelligence, Nigeria can defeat kidnapping and other forms of criminality and restore hope to victims’ families,” Akingboye said.
He called on the government to sustain the momentum by prioritising the rescue of other abductees, especially the students seized from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, as well as countless other victims still in captivity.
“It is important that this success is not treated as an isolated achievement. Every Nigerian life is precious, and every family waiting for the return of a loved one deserves the same level of commitment that brought the Oyo victims home safely,” he said.
ACOE noted that the rescue had strengthened public belief that the country has the capability to significantly reduce insecurity if intelligence-led operations remain consistent and adequately supported.
The association stressed that a secure environment was indispensable for national development, saying citizens should be able to travel, work, farm and conduct their daily activities without fear, while children should attend school in safety.
“No nation can make meaningful progress when its citizens live in fear or when parents are uncertain whether their children will return safely from school. Security remains the foundation upon which every other aspect of national development depends,” Akingboye stated.
The association also paid tribute to security personnel who lost their lives during the rescue operation, particularly 28-year-old Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac of the Nigerian Army, who died while leading the initial assault team during the mission in the Old Oyo National Park.
“We honour the courage and sacrifice of Lieutenant Felix Ademe Isaac and every security operative who risked or gave their lives to secure the freedom of innocent Nigerians. Their patriotism deserves the gratitude and support of the entire nation,” the statement said.
ACOE urged the Federal Government to continue investing in intelligence gathering, surveillance technology, inter-agency collaboration and community-based policing, while also improving the welfare, equipment and operational support available to security personnel.
The rescue of the school children and their teachers is coming on the heels of ACOE’s passionate Appeal to the Federal Government to free them and other abducted Nigerians elsewhere.
Noting its pleasure that the appeal has yielded a positive outcome, ACOE maintained that the mission would only be complete when every Nigerian held by kidnappers and terrorists regains freedom.
ACOE reaffirmed its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at strengthening national security, pledging that it would continue to advocate justice, transparency and the protection of lives.
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