By Adeyinka Aroyewun
The recent release of abducted pupils, teachers, and security personnel in Oyo State after more than fifty-five days in captivity should have been a moment of unadulterated relief. Families who had endured sleepless nights, frantic searches, and the crushing weight of uncertainty could finally breathe. The nation, too, could exhale.
But in the rush to spin narratives, the government’s supporters have turned this harrowing ordeal into a political victory lap. This move reveals a disturbing disconnect from the gravity of what transpired.
Let us be clear: the abduction was a national tragedy. Some of those taken did not survive. They died not in a war zone, but in the hands of criminals who exploited the very vulnerability that the state is meant to protect. The fact that negotiations dragged on for nearly two months is not a sign of success; it is a glaring indictment of a security architecture that allowed such an incident to occur and persist.
The days of captivity represent more than a calendar count—they are a chronicle of fear, hunger, trauma, and, for some, death.
Yet, in the corridors of political cheerleading, this nightmare is being rebranded as a triumph. Supporters of the government are rushing to credit the president, framing the release as a victory for the administration’s security policies.
They speak of “political will” and “strategic negotiations,” as if the return of traumatised children is a trophy to be displayed. This is not merely tone-deaf; it is a calculated attempt to weaponise human suffering for partisan gain.
I take a different view. This episode is a major demarketing factor for the government and the ruling party. Here is why:
First, the abduction itself is a failure of intelligence and preventive SECURITY. No amount of post-release celebration can erase the fact that armed men stormed an educational institution and carted away citizens with apparent ease. Security is not measured by the speed of a resolution after a crime, but by the capacity to prevent the crime in the first place. By that measure, the government has failed.
Second, the prolonged captivity—55 days—is a timeline of incompetence. Negotiations that stretch for nearly two months do not inspire confidence in the state’s ability to act decisively. They suggest a reactive, rather than proactive, approach to security crises.
The protracted ordeal also raises uncomfortable questions: Were ransom demands met? Was there a military failure? Or was the government simply lucky that the abductors eventually relented? The lack of transparency fuels public distrust.
Third, the “victory” narrative cheapens the lives lost. When supporters celebrate the release, they conveniently forget that not everyone came back. The families of those who died are left with grief and a nation that is already moving on, patting itself on the back. To use their loss as a backdrop for political accolades is a profound moral failure.
*Fourth, this incident will be remembered by investors, tourists, and international observers.* Nigeria’s security reputation is already fragile. A high-profile abduction that takes nearly two months to resolve sends a clear message: even with all the government’s resources, citizens remain vulnerable. This is not a selling point for the country; it is a warning sign.
The supporters of the government may argue that any release under difficult circumstances is a win. But a win is not when innocent people are abducted, and some die. A win is when schools are safe, when communities are protected, and when the state can guarantee the security of its citizens *before* they are taken.
I call on all well-meaning Nigerians to reject the politicisation of this tragedy. Do not let the government spin a crisis into a campaign slogan. Let us mourn the dead, support the traumatised survivors, and demand accountability—not applause.
The real test of leadership is not in how you celebrate a release, but in how you prevent a kidnapping in the first place. By that test, this government has scored a demerit, not a victory.
Adeyinka Aroyewun
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