Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, senatorial candidate for Osun Central, Mr Nathaniel Oduyemi, has urged Federal Government to engage international partners in tackling the rising wave of insecurity across the country, saying government’s response to the situation has lacked the urgency required to address the challenge.

Oduyemi, who lamented the increasing incidents of kidnappings involving schoolchildren and their teachers, said the frequency, boldness and scale of the attacks have exposed gaps in the country’s security architecture.

The senatorial hopeful therefore urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of their children.

He also called on President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate courage, compassion and firm leadership in tackling the insecurity confronting the nation.

His words: “I have watched with deep concern and growing anxiety the disturbing wave of kidnappings targeting school children and their teachers across Nigeria. The abduction of innocent pupils from schools that ought to be safe havens for learning is a tragic reminder that our nation is facing a grave security crisis. These attacks are not only assaults on the victims and their families; they are attacks on the future of our country.

“While kidnapping is unfortunately not new to Nigeria, the frequency, audacity, and scale of recent incidents have exposed the alarming weakness of the current administration’s response to insecurity. Criminals now operate with a level of boldness that suggests they no longer fear the consequences of their actions, while citizens are increasingly left to themselves.

“What is most troubling is the apparent lack of urgency displayed by federal government in addressing these heartbreaking incidents. For days and weeks after the abduction of the Ogbomosho school children, Nigerians were met with silence rather than decisive leadership. Families were left in agony, communities were left traumatized, and the nation watched helplessly as precious time slipped away.

“Many Nigerians cannot help but wonder whether politics has overshadowed humanity in the government’s response. The perception that the level of federal attention given to security emergencies depends on political affiliations is dangerous for national unity. Every Nigerian child deserves protection regardless of the state in which they live or the political party their governor belongs to.

“The recent visit of senior federal officials to the scene of the Ogbomosho kidnap, without adequate collaboration with government, has only deepened concerns that political optics are being prioritized over genuine solutions. At a time when lives are at stake, Nigerians expect coordinated action, not political symbolism.

“I therefore call on parents across the country to remain vigilant and take every possible precaution to safeguard their children. While we continue to pray for divine intervention, parents must also strengthen community-based security measures and pay closer attention to the safety of their wards. These are extraordinary times that require extraordinary caution.

“As a fellow son of Osun State, I make a passionate appeal to President Bola Tinubu. President, Nigerians are looking to you for leadership. This is the moment to demonstrate courage, compassion, and determination. The lives of our children are too precious to become casualties of bureaucracy, political calculations, or administrative delays.

“If the security situation has become overwhelming, there should be no hesitation in seeking broader support. Federal government must engage international partners, deploy every available resource, and embrace innovative security strategies capable of confronting the growing threat posed by criminal gangs and terrorist elements.

“History will judge every leader not by the promises they made but by how they responded when their people were in distress. President Tinubu, you have already secured your place in history as Nigeria’s President; what remains is the legacy you choose to leave behind. This is the time to act decisively and demonstrate that no Nigerian life is expendable.”