Nigerian Lawmaker Demands Answers As Children Are Freed Yet Kidnappers Remain At Large Across States

 

Kafilat Adetola Ogbara, the lawmaker representing Kosofe Federal Constituency in Lagos, has raised pressing concerns over the lack of arrests following a series of recent school abductions across Nigeria. Her statement comes after the release of 24 schoolgirls abducted by terrorists in Maga, Kebbi, last Monday.

The Kebbi abductions occurred at dawn on November 17, moments after a military detachment left the school premises. The attackers reportedly struck with precision, leaving the school community in shock. The incident sparked a wave of copycat kidnappings, including abductions in Eruku, Kwara State, and Papiri, Niger State.

Authorities reported that all 38 kidnapped students in Eruku were safely released on Sunday. Similarly, 50 missing pupils from a Catholic school in Niger State were reunited with their parents on the same day, according to the Niger State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria. Despite these successful recoveries, questions remain over law enforcement's response, as no information has been released regarding the arrest or identification of the perpetrators.

Speaking on the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Ogbara directly questioned the government’s approach to tackling such security challenges. She urged the need for state police, stressing that national security cannot rest solely on the President’s presence or directives.

“We need our governors to do more. The President cannot be everywhere; he cannot be in Sokoto, he cannot be in Zamfara, he cannot be in Ogun, and he cannot be in Lagos, his own state,” Ogbara emphasized. Her remarks highlight growing frustration over recurring security lapses and the apparent lack of accountability in apprehending those responsible for violent kidnappings.

Ogbara’s inquiry underscores a broader concern shared by citizens and lawmakers alike: while the children have been safely returned, the question remains, where are the kidnappers? Her call for proactive action from state authorities reflects a growing demand for decentralized security enforcement, aimed at preventing further tragedies.

Experts note that Nigeria’s kidnapping crisis has worsened in recent years, with both criminal gangs and terrorist groups targeting schools and vulnerable communities. The trend not only threatens education but also erodes public confidence in law enforcement. Advocates argue that state-level policing and stronger collaboration between local governments and security agencies could help mitigate such threats.

As the national conversation continues, Ogbara’s statement resonates as a stark reminder that the return of victims alone does not signify the resolution of a deeper security problem. Nigerians are increasingly calling for tangible action, insisting that authorities must apprehend kidnappers swiftly to deter future attacks.