Unequal attention: Questions trail Nigerian govt’s response to Oyo, Borno school abductions

Fresh concerns have emerged over the Federal Government’s handling of recent school abductions.

This comes as separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states are perceived to have triggered different responses from authorities.

The development has sparked criticism from civil society organisations, security experts and residents of Borno State, who argue that the victims of the North-East abduction have not received the same level of attention accorded to their counterparts in Oyo.

DAILY POST reports that on May 16, armed men invaded schools in Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting about 46 pupils and teachers from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

The incident sent shockwaves across the state and reignited concerns over the safety of educational institutions in rural communities.

On the same day, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting 42 pupils and students.

The attack highlighted the continued threat posed by insurgent groups in the North-East despite years of military operations aimed at restoring peace in the region.

Findings by DAILY POST indicate that both incidents occurred within hours of each other, making them among the most significant school abductions recorded in the country this year.

However, the responses that followed have become the subject of intense public scrutiny.

In Oyo State, President Bola Tinubu swiftly ordered coordinated rescue efforts and dispatched a high-powered federal delegation to the affected communities.

The delegation, led by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, included National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe and Presidential Adviser on Public Communications Sunday Dare.

The delegation visited Ogbomoso and proceeded to the affected communities on May 31, conveying the President’s concern and assuring residents that every effort was being made to secure the release of the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

As part of immediate measures announced after the visit, President Tinubu approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State to strengthen surveillance and security around vulnerable communities.

He also directed the deployment of a specialised security rescue unit with advanced capabilities to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers.

However, while the Oyo intervention was widely applauded, it also triggered questions about the Federal Government’s handling of the abduction in Borno State, where 42 students remained in captivity weeks after the attack.

DAILY POST gathered that residents of Askira/Uba and other parts of Southern Borno have repeatedly expressed concern over what they describe as inadequate national attention to the plight of the abducted students and their families.

The Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State was among the groups that publicly raised concerns.

According to its chairman, Abubakar Suleiman, the victims of both incidents deserve equal attention regardless of geographical location.

The civil society leader noted that the federal delegation that visited Oyo included some of the country’s highest-ranking security officials, while no similar visit had been recorded in Borno despite the scale of insecurity confronting the state.

He urged authorities to engage affected families and provide regular updates on rescue efforts.

The concerns were echoed by political analyst Abubakar Kareto, who argued that the two incidents exposed what many citizens perceive as an imbalance in official responses to security crises.

He observed that both attacks occurred on the same day and involved vulnerable schoolchildren, yet generated different levels of national engagement.

According to him, the Oyo incident received immediate high-level attention and additional security measures, while the Borno abduction was largely met with routine condemnations.

He warned that such perceptions could deepen feelings of neglect among communities already battling insurgency and displacement.

A similar position was taken by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, who called on President Tinubu to extend to Borno the same security initiatives approved for Oyo State.

Falana urged the Federal Government to recruit 1,000 forest guards for Borno and dispatch a federal delegation to the state in solidarity with affected communities.

He stressed that decisive action was needed to confront terrorists operating in remote forests and reassure residents that every part of the country receives equal protection.

The Borno State Government has visited the affected communities, where government officials met with parents, community leaders and military authorities, assuring residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the safe return of the abducted students.

Despite these efforts, fear remains widespread across Southern Borno. Residents worry that schools and communities could face further attacks if stronger security measures are not introduced.

Many parents now face the difficult choice of continuing their children’s education or ensuring their safety.

Security experts say the incidents in Oyo and Borno highlight the growing vulnerability of rural schools across Nigeria. 

They argue that while rescue operations remain critical, authorities must focus on prevention through intelligence gathering, improved surveillance, deployment of security personnel and stronger community-based security structures.

The challenge, analysts say, is ensuring that such interventions are implemented uniformly across all regions facing similar threats.