In the wake of the triumphant and deeply emotional rescue of our beloved schoolchildren and teachers from the Oriire Local Government Area of Ogbomoso, it is profoundly disheartening to witness calculated attempts by certain quarters to reduce this monumental victory of the state into a sordid arena of partisan warfare. We must establish an unshakeable national standard, that the collective security of our people and the sovereignty of our nation must always tower far above personal beef, petty political grievances, and primordial sentiments. When human lives, especially the fragile lives of innocent children, are at stake, the flag of the Federal Republic of Nigeria must be the only banner we unfurl. Attempting to weaponise a national tragedy for political leverage is not only a failure of basic empathy, it is a serious moral bankruptcy that threatens the very core of our social fabric.
 
Without mincing words, we must fiercely call out and completely reject any malicious narrative that seeks to diminish or question the extraordinary sacrifices of our gallant uniformed men and women. To arrogantly assume or insinuate that this agonising ordeal was somehow "staged" is the absolute height of insensitivity, a cruel insult to the traumatised families, and a direct slap in the face of our heroes. These brave operatives were embedded in the grueling, unforgiving thickets of the forest for over 50 agonising days, meticulously coordinating intelligence, braving the elements, and tragically losing some of their own comrades in active combat to ensure this rescue was actualised. The spilled blood and sweat of these patriotic defenders must never be desecrated on the altar of cheap political point-scoring.
 
Elected authorities and political actors across all divides carry a far more serious constitutional responsibility than the permanent pursuit of electoral optics. While political contestation is a legitimate feature of our democracy, there must be a sacred boundary that no reasonable leader crosses—and the physical survival of our citizens is firmly within that boundary. There will always be a time to play politics, but the safety of our children should never be one of them. We must be reasonable, collected, and thoroughly dignified in our public words, our postures, and our underlying intents during moments of national relief. True patriotism dictates that we respect the sovereign institutions of Nigeria and trust our legally commissioned security authorities to conduct their investigations, make their findings, and secure our borders without being subjected to toxic distractions.
 
The political noise should subside, and our primary, undivided focus must immediately pivot to the long and sensitive road to healing that lies ahead for these rescued children and teachers. Having survived what is undoubtedly the most disturbing and deeply traumatising episode of their entire lives, they need the absolute, unconditional support of the entire society to recover. I strongly advocate for the immediate, state-backed deployment of comprehensive post-traumatic psychological assessments, thorough medical checkups, and sustained therapeutic follow-ups to systematically help them process this horror and get their lives back on track. A big thank you goes to every medical professional, counsellor, and citizen currently providing this indispensable post-rescue care; their full rehabilitation is a non-negotiable duty we owe them.
 
Again, I pour out my heart in profound gratitude to the leadership and rank-and-file of the Nigerian Military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Police Force, the local vigilantes, and our dedicated Amotekun corps members who laboured seamlessly to bring our people home. Your immense sacrifices, your sleepless nights, and the ultimate price paid by your fallen colleagues will never be forgotten or reduced to futility. As Progressives, we stand unyieldingly behind your operations, confident that as the whole of the country resolutely rises above violent and extremist actors, every single corner of Oyo State and the entire Nigerian nation will ultimately witness a permanent, prosperous dawn of peace. Thank you.
 
~ Dr. Adewale Kolapo Kareem (AKK)
Former Oyo State Governorship Aspirant
APC… PROGRESS!
AKK! Aseyori ni tiwa
AKK!! Ajọṣe, Ajoje
AKK!!! A Task That Must Be Done.
Wednesday, July 16 2026