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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has called for the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers abducted by armed criminals in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The demand was made in a statement issued on Sunday in Enugu by the National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu.
According to Chukwu, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation received with shock and deep concern reports of the abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from schools in the council area.
He noted that reports of teachers being killed during and after the attack had further worsened the gravity of the incident and heightened concerns over the safety of the remaining victims.
Ohanaeze strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a barbaric act that targeted innocent children, undermined education and threatened the future of the nation.
Quoting the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Sen. Azuta Mbata, Chukwu said the sanctity of human life must never be subjected to the cruelty of criminal elements.
Mbata described the abduction of children from their schools as an assault on the hopes of families and the collective future of Nigeria.
He stressed that no society could make meaningful progress when children are forced to live in fear and educational institutions become targets of violent attacks.
The Ohanaeze leader said the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers should be treated as a national emergency and accorded the highest level of priority by relevant authorities.
He also expressed solidarity with the affected families as well as the government and people of Oyo State during the difficult period.
Mbata urged the Federal Government, security agencies and other stakeholders to intensify efforts toward securing the immediate and safe release of all those in captivity.
He further called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the abduction, insisting that perpetrators of such crimes must face the full weight of the law.
According to him, safeguarding children and protecting educational institutions remain critical responsibilities that require urgent and sustained national attention.
Ohanaeze reiterated its commitment to advocating for the security and welfare of all Nigerians and called on authorities to act decisively to prevent a recurrence of similar attacks.
