The Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District and All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, has expressed profound gratitude to Almighty God over the safe return of the pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, describing their release as a moment of immense relief for their families, the people of Oyo State and the nation at large.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Senator Alli congratulated the rescued children, their teachers and their families for enduring one of the most painful experiences imaginable, praying that God grants them complete healing, renewed strength and the courage to overcome the emotional and psychological trauma of their ordeal.
"The return of these innocent children and their teachers is a victory for every parent, every community and every Nigerian who refused to give up hope. For nearly two months, families lived in anguish, communities remained in prayer and the entire nation anxiously awaited this joyful news. Today, we thank God that our children are finally back where they belong—with their loved ones."
Senator Alli noted that the abduction of schoolchildren struck at the very heart of society, as schools should remain places of learning, hope and opportunity rather than fear. He stressed that no child should ever have to experience violence simply for seeking an education.
The lawmaker also paid tribute to the memory of the teacher who tragically lost his life during the unfortunate incident, praying that Almighty God grants him eternal rest and comforts his family during this difficult period. He urged Nigerians not to forget the sacrifices made by educators who continue to serve their communities despite growing security challenges.
Senator Alli commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for providing leadership throughout the rescue efforts and for ensuring sustained collaboration among the nation's security agencies until the victims regained their freedom. He also applauded the professionalism, resilience and dedication of the armed forces, intelligence services and other security personnel whose coordinated efforts led to the successful rescue of the abductees, with several suspects reportedly apprehended during the operation.
"I sincerely appreciate His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unwavering commitment to securing the release of these children and teachers. His assurance that no effort would be spared was backed by decisive action, coordination and sustained security operations. I equally commend our gallant security agencies whose courage and professionalism made this outcome possible."
The Senator described the successful rescue as a demonstration that determined leadership, inter-agency collaboration and intelligence-driven security operations can produce meaningful results in the fight against criminality.
While celebrating the release, Senator Alli emphasized that the incident should serve as a wake-up call for governments at all levels to strengthen security around schools and vulnerable rural communities. He called for sustained investments in intelligence gathering, community policing, surveillance infrastructure and rapid-response capabilities to ensure that such incidents do not recur.
"Our children deserve to learn in safety. Parents deserve the confidence of sending their children to school without fear. We must continue to strengthen our security architecture, support our security personnel and build safer communities where education can flourish."
He further urged residents of Oyo State to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information, and reject every form of criminality capable of undermining peace and development.
Senator Alli concluded by reassuring the people of Oyo State that the protection of lives and property must remain a collective responsibility, while reaffirming his commitment to supporting policies and initiatives that promote security, quality education, youth development and the overall progress of the state.
"Today, we rejoice with the rescued pupils, their teachers and their families. Tomorrow, we must recommit ourselves to building an Oyo State where every child can pursue education without fear and where every community enjoys lasting peace, security and prosperity."
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