Tinubu’s Aide Rejects Abduction Comparisons

Tinubu's Aide Rejects Abduction Comparisons (News Central TV) Tinubu's Aide Rejects Abduction Comparisons (News Central TV)
Temitayo Ajayi. Credit: X.

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitayo Ajayi, has urged Nigerians not to compare the abduction of former Power Minister Bayo Adelabu’s relatives with the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Adelabu’s sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, was abducted alongside her twin sons on Wednesday morning in Oyo State and was later rescued by security operatives on Saturday.

However, over 40 students and teachers who were abducted in Oriire in May have remained in captivity for more than two weeks.

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Following the rescue of Adelabu’s relatives, Nigerians criticised the government over what they described as a lack of urgency in securing the release of the kidnapped schoolchildren.

Ajayi, in a post on X on Sunday morning, said it was wrong to draw comparisons between both incidents.

“Those who are comparing Adelabu’s sister and her twins’ situation to the Ogbomoso kids and their teachers are totally wrong,” he said.

Tinubu's Aide Rejects Abduction Comparisons (News Central TV)
A representative image of an abducted victim. Credit: Guardian Nigeria.

“It is wrong to compare the urban gang of kidnappers who engage in copycat crime to make money and hide victims inside a flat within the community to a band of terrorists operating deep inside the bush. The two set of criminals have different motivations and agenda.”

He added that the Ogbomoso abductees would be rescued, while dismissing claims that security agencies were selective or biased in their response.

“The Ogbomoso children and their teachers will be rescued, and government/security agencies are not selective as falsely claimed. The approach to the two incidents can’t be the same.”

“We should be happy that the woman and his twins are safely home while we pray for quicker rescue of those still in the bush with their abductors.”

The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, also criticised those questioning the speed of Adelabu’s relatives’ rescue, describing such views as dangerous.

“If you find yourself unhappy about the rescue of a woman and her children and jump on every conspiracy to try and downplay the efforts of law enforcement, just know you’re already a terrorist,” he said.

Author

  • Olayide Oluwafunmilayo Soaga is a Nigerian journalist with four years of professional experience. She reports on health, gender, education and development, with a focus on impact-driven storytelling.

    She was runner-up for the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) Best Solutions Journalism Award in West Africa in 2024 and a finalist for the 2025 West Africa Media Excellence Awards.

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