By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The West African Youth Protection and Advocacy Network has warned that Nigeria is beginning to look like ‘a nation under siege’ after the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying governments across the country now appear unable to contain the deepening wave of insecurity.

The group said the attack in the Oriire area of Ogbomosho, where three people were reportedly killed including a gatekeeper, a motorcycle rider and one of the abducted teachers allegedly murdered in captivity; reflected the growing spread of kidnapping and violent crime into southern Nigeria, with schools and children increasingly becoming targets.

In a statement by its Programme Coordinator, Rafiu Adeniran Lawal, WAYPAN described the attack as “cowardly and reprehensible” and called for urgent action to rescue the victims and restore public confidence in the country’s security system.

“The current situation increasingly gives the impression of a nation under siege, while governments at various levels appear overwhelmed and unable to provide adequate protection for citizens,” the group said.

WAYPAN urged security agencies, the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to launch immediate and coordinated rescue operations to secure the release of the abducted children and teachers and bring those responsible to justice.

“This heinous act represents a direct assault on the rights of young Nigerians to live in peace and access education in a safe and secure environment,” it stated.

The organisation also expressed condolences to the families of those killed and solidarity with the abducted victims and their relatives.

Citing recent reports by Amnesty International Nigeria, the group said at least 1,100 people were abducted across northern Nigeria between January and March 2026, with many victims allegedly subjected to torture, starvation and other forms of abuse while in captivity.

WAYPAN also referenced other reports indicating that fresh attacks on schools in Borno and Oyo states in May 2026 allegedly led to the abduction of more than 80 children within one week.

According to the organisation, the worsening insecurity reflected not only a security failure but a deeper crisis of governance and political will.

“WAYPAN maintains that if governments at all levels demonstrated the same degree of urgency, political will, and resource mobilization toward public security as they do toward political activities and the protection of powerful individuals, many of Nigeria’s security challenges would be significantly reduced,” the statement added.

The group said Nigeria urgently needed a more intelligence-driven and technology-backed security strategy, arguing that a fraction of the funds spent annually through security votes could provide surveillance cameras, drones, operational vehicles, communication gadgets and advanced intelligence systems needed to strengthen security operations nationwide.

“Nigeria urgently requires a new security paradigm rooted in intelligence-led policing, accountability, technology-driven security operations, community engagement, and people-centered governance,” it stated.

WAYPAN further urged governments at all levels to tackle poverty, unemployment and social inequality, which it said continued to fuel insecurity and criminality across the country.

“Building a peaceful and secure society also requires justice, fairness, and a system where ordinary citizens are not sacrificed for the interests of the rich and powerful,” the statement added.