The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticised African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar for not reacting to the release of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In a post on X on Saturday, Onanuga said nearly 18 hours after the victims regained their freedom, Atiku had yet to acknowledge the development, despite repeatedly criticising the Federal Government while they were in captivity.
According to him, the former vice president had "weaponised" the abduction as a campaign issue during the 57-day ordeal but had remained silent following the successful rescue.
Onanuga suggested Atiku might be waiting for another negative development to criticise the Tinubu administration.
He, however, commended Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi for welcoming the victims' release and calling for thanksgiving, although Obi did not directly praise President Tinubu.
The 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted on May 15 after gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The abduction sparked nationwide outrage, with members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers and other stakeholders staging protests after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed by the kidnappers.
During the period of captivity, Atiku repeatedly urged the Federal Government to secure the victims' release, describing the distribution of relief materials to affected families as inadequate and insisting that rescue efforts should have been the government's priority.
Announcing the rescue on Friday, Onanuga said security operatives secured the victims' freedom without negotiating with the kidnappers. He disclosed that eight suspects had been arrested and handed over to the Department of State Services, while several others were killed during the operation. He also said the gang leader whose release had been demanded by the kidnappers remained in custody and was facing prosecution.
Reacting to the development, Obi expressed relief over the safe return of the victims and thanked security personnel and everyone involved in the operation. He, however, stressed that the rescue should not distract from the broader challenge of kidnapping across the country, calling for stronger measures to protect Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde also welcomed the rescue, with the President commending the military, the Department of State Services and the police for securing the victims' freedom without making concessions to the abductors.
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