Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) has called on the Federal Government and the affected State Governments to take immediate and decisive action to secure the safe return of schoolchildren and teachers recently abducted in Oyo and Borno States.
In a press statement signed by its Chairperson, Mrs. Funmi Falana, SAN, WELA described the incidents as a grave breach of the government’s constitutional and legal responsibility to protect the lives, security and dignity of children. The organisation expressed concern that while families continue to endure the trauma of having their loved ones in captivity, the urgency required to bring them home safely has not been sufficiently demonstrated. WELA noted that the continued attacks on schools undermine children’s right to education and violate the protections guaranteed under the Child’s Rights Act 2003. The organisation stressed that the safety of schools must become a permanent governance priority, rather than a reactive response after tragedies occur.
The organisation further urged both the Federal Government and the affected State Governments to treat the rescue of the abducted children and teachers as a national emergency, while calling for sustained measures to strengthen school security and prevent similar incidents in the future.
WELA maintained that no political activity or administrative delay should take precedence over the rescue of children held in captivity, reiterating that every child deserves to learn in a safe and secure environment. The organisation called for the immediate and unconditional return of all abducted children and teachers to their families.