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The Nigerian and Oyo State governments must stop “playing politics with the lives of Nigerians” and secure the release of dozens of children and teachers abducted nearly three weeks ago, a member of the Take-It-Back Movement has said during a demonstration in Ibadan on Monday.
Speaking to News Central TV at the group’s gathering at Mokola Roundabout on Monday, the activist accused President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde of inaction.
“The present government, the Tinubu regime and Seyi Makinde, must stop playing politics with the lives of Nigerians. What is playing out is simple politics,” the Take-It-Back Movement member said.
“The constitution of Nigeria states it clearly that the primary objectives of government is the security and welfare of citizens. So if you cannot take care of that, leave! It’s as simple as that.”
He said the government’s focus on political primaries while children remained captive was unacceptable
“We cannot have 47 children in the forest, and political bandits are holding primaries. Because these political bandits are worse than the bandits that are in the forest. In fact, ideologically, they were the ones who created the bandits in the forest.
“So what we are saying is that our children must not be used as pawns in their chess game. Release them immediately.”
“Number one, release our children and teachers immediately. Two, rehabilitate them. Three, compensate all of them.”
“And another thing is that we are also demanding a probe into the security architecture of Nigeria. Starting with the security votes that Makinde says he receives.”
The Take-It-Back Movement member claimed that the governor had said he had bought an aircraft for surveillance. “Till this moment, we’ve not seen any aircraft. To even go and check where those children are, we’ve not seen any aircraft.”
“So we are demanding a probe into that. Someone who wants to become the president, the accountability must start from this moment.”
He criticised the timing of a high-powered presidential delegation’s visit to the affected communities on Sunday.
“Not until we announced this protest. That was when they now realised that they have one strong delegation that they can send to Ogbomoso. After two weeks, they were sending a strong delegation.”
The May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area saw gunmen seize about 46 pupils and seven teachers. One teacher was killed during the attack, and another was later beheaded. The victims remain in captivity, now in their third week.
President Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of a specialised rescue unit. The NUT has declared an indefinite strike in Oyo State.
