Former Education Minister and Bring Back Our Girls co-convener, Oby Ezekwesili, has sharply criticised Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, linking it to “cancerous, systemic corruption” that has crippled key institutions, including the military and judiciary.
Speaking on Monday via her X account, Ezekwesili warned that corruption has “eaten up the very values” of Nigeria’s foundational institutions, rendering them “impotent” and unable to protect citizens.
Citing UNICEF and Save the Children data, she highlighted the alarming scale of school kidnappings: over 1,680 students abducted in 70 attacks from 2014 to 2022, and another 816 in 22 attacks between 2023 and November 2025.
“The latest abducted children are not just hostages of terrorists; they are hostages of the unforgivable failure of governments and a political class that refuse to be moved,” she said.
Ezekwesili described the repeated attacks as “proof of state collapse in its most basic duty the protection of our greatest human asset: our children.” She added that after more than a decade since the Chibok abduction, the government’s failure to act reflects deliberate negligence, which “is a crime.”
She declared, “Any government that continues without rescuing abducted children or adequately securing schools accepts that it governs without legitimacy.” Concluding firmly, she said, “Enough said.”
Civic group #FixPolitics also demanded urgent, coordinated action following recent kidnappings in Kebbi and Niger states. Executive Director Anthony Ubani called for transparent communication, enhanced rescue efforts, nationwide school safety measures, and improved intelligence.
“Are our children safe? The facts suggest they are not,” Ubani warned.
Ezekwesili’s call underscores growing public frustration over Nigeria’s security challenges and demands urgent government accountability.
