By Ozioruva Aliu, BENIN CITY

AS abducted students, pupils and teachers of Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele; and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo state spend their third week. in the hands of their abductors, a House of Representatives aspirant for the Oredo Federal Constituency in Edo State under the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Oteghe Adams has called governments to enhance security around schools across the country.

He said the abductions which he described as one too many was a result of the failure of government and another painful reminder that insecurity has become normalised under the system in Nigeria that appeared reactive rather than proactive.

Adams in a statement issued in Benin City on Monday said Nigerians were tired of government issuing routine statements whenever such crimes occur and called on the government to live up to its responsibilities to the people.

He demanded “The immediate and unconditional rescue of all victims, a transparent investigation into the circumstances that enabled this attack.

“The deployment of enhanced security architecture around schools and vulnerable communities.

“The publication of a comprehensive action plan to prevent future abductions and accountability from public officials charged with ensuring the safety of citizens.

“The lives of Nigerian children are not expendable. Every preventable kidnapping is a policy failure, every avoidable loss is a leadership failure, and every delayed response deepens the crisis of public confidence.

“The people of Oyo State and Nigeria deserve security, not excuses.”

He asked how many more children must be kidnapped before meaningful preventive action is taken, adding that it was unacceptable that despite repeated incidents across the country, schools remained vulnerable, intelligence gathering remained inadequate, and criminal elements continued to operate with alarming boldness.

“The absence of effective preventive security measures has created an environment where kidnappers believe they can act with little fear of deterrence.

“Government cannot continue to celebrate promises while citizens bury their loved ones, pay ransoms, or live in constant fear. The people deserve more than expressions of sympathy after every tragedy. They deserve leadership, foresight, and decisive action before these crimes occur.”