ActionAid Nigeria has appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently secure the release of schoolchildren abducted from Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the organisation’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, ActionAid expressed deep concern over the continued detention of the victims following the May 15 attack on the affected communities.
The group lamented that several children and teachers remained in captivity nearly two weeks after the incident, describing the development as a painful indication of the country’s worsening security challenges.
ActionAid noted that 25 children were still being held by the abductors, stressing that the situation went beyond insecurity and represented a grave moral failure.
According to the organisation, the children had been deprived of their families, education, and future, despite only seeking learning opportunities in school.
While acknowledging efforts already made by security personnel, the organisation maintained that grieving families needed concrete results rather than repeated assurances.
It called on the Federal Government to deploy every available intelligence, military, political, and diplomatic measure necessary to ensure the safe return of the victims.
The organisation further stated that Children’s Day should symbolise safety, dignity, and hope for every Nigerian child, regretting that many children were instead spending the occasion in fear and captivity.
ActionAid condemned the attack on the schools, insisting that educational institutions must remain secure spaces for learning and development.
The group also urged the Oyo State Government to intensify rescue operations, negotiations, and engagement efforts while providing emotional and welfare support to affected families.
In addition, it appealed to both the National Assembly and the Oyo State House of Assembly to urgently address the growing insecurity in vulnerable communities and allocate more resources toward protecting schools and residents.
ActionAid charged security agencies to maximise their operational capabilities to rescue all 25 children and seven teachers reportedly still in captivity.
Reaffirming its solidarity with the affected communities, the organisation called on religious leaders, civil society groups, the media, and Nigerians to continue demanding the immediate release of the abducted victims.
It stressed that Nigerian children deserve safety, education, freedom, and a secure future, urging authorities to act swiftly to bring them home safely.