The kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Orire, Oyo State, is not merely another security incident to be swallowed by the endless churn of Nigerian bad news. It is a disgrace, a moral failure, and a frightening confirmation that criminal elements have become emboldened enough to target the very foundations of society: children, teachers, and schools.
In such a moment, Governor Seyi Makinde was right to do what many leaders only pretend to do in times of crisis — he acted with urgency and refused to normalize the abduction of innocent citizens. His decision to draw the attention of the United Nations to the matter is both politically bold and morally defensible. It sends a clear message that the government of Oyo State is not prepared to fold its arms while criminals hold communities hostage.
The kidnapping of schoolchildren is not ordinary crime. It is a terror tactic. It strikes at families, destabilizes communities, and sends fear across the entire state. Once children and teachers become targets, the matter has crossed the boundary from criminality into a wider humanitarian concern.
That is why Makinde’s move should not be dismissed as theatrics. A responsible governor must use every legitimate avenue available to protect lives, mobilize support, and apply pressure where necessary.
In a country where insecurity is too often met with tired statements and recycled promises, bold leadership is not only welcome, it is necessary.
Let us be clear: the United Nations is not a substitute for Nigerian security forces. It does not have the mandate to run local investigations or deploy tactical operations in Oyo State as if it were a police command.
The primary responsibility for investigating the Orire kidnapping, rescuing the victims, and arresting the perpetrators remains with Nigerian authorities.
But that is not the point. The value of Makinde’s appeal lies in the symbolism and pressure it creates.
The UN can amplify the urgency of the case, support child protection concerns, and place the matter within the broader context of human rights and the protection of civilians.
In a country where official complacency is too often disguised as order, international attention can be a powerful forcing mechanism
Governor Makinde’s decision reflects a basic truth: a leader who truly understands the gravity of a crisis must not be afraid to escalate it. Silence is not statesmanship.
Passivity is not governance. And pretending that all is well when children are being abducted is a betrayal of public trust.
The governor’s action also exposes the deeper failure of Nigeria’s security structure.
It is a damning indictment that state governors, despite being elected to protect their people politically, often lack the constitutional control needed to directly command the security architecture that should answer to the crisis at hand.
That dysfunction has left many leaders with limited options and forced them to seek pressure from outside the usual channels.
The real question is not whether Governor Makinde was right to call for UN attention. He was. The real question is why Nigeria has reached a point where a governor must even consider such a step to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers.
That question should trouble every serious Nigerian. It should trouble the federal government, the security agencies, and every public official who has normalized insecurity through excuses and inertia.
Conclusion
Governor Seyi Makinde has shown resolve in the face of a grave injustice. He should be supported, not mocked. His appeal to the United Nations may not produce a direct operational response, but it serves a vital purpose: it tells the world that Oyo State is not indifferent to the plight of its children, and that the kidnapping of schoolchildren will not be treated as routine.
If the UN cannot intervene directly, it can still add global pressure and moral weight to a case that deserves both. In that sense, Makinde’s move was not only right, it was necessary.
Mogaji Akin Fagbemi Ph.D,LL.B
Is a policy Analyst writes from Ibadan, Oyo State
