A former presidential aspirant and chieftain of The Alternative, Segun Showunmi, has commended President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s security agencies for the successful rescue of the students and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In a statement made available to journalists on Saturday, Showunmi described the operation as a major milestone in the country’s fight against insecurity, saying it had strengthened public confidence in the ability of Nigeria’s security institutions to tackle criminal activities through effective coordination and sustained government support.
He congratulated President Tinubu on the successful rescue, describing it as “a significant victory for Nigeria and a reassuring demonstration that the resolve of the Nigerian state remains stronger than the forces of criminality.”
Showunmi also praised the Armed Forces, intelligence agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security personnel involved in the operation for their professionalism, courage, and sacrifice.
“I warmly congratulate Mr. President on the successful rescue of the Oriire students and teachers whose ordeal captured the attention and prayers of Nigerians over the past weeks,” he said.
“Their safe return is a significant victory for our nation and a reassuring demonstration that the resolve of the Nigerian state remains stronger than the forces of criminality.”
Despite the successful operation, the former spokesman for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation urged the Federal Government not to relent in addressing insecurity, stressing that security operations must be intensified to dismantle criminal networks responsible for kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and other violent crimes.
“This victory should strengthen our resolve to sustain ongoing security operations and intensify efforts to identify, dismantle and eliminate the criminal networks responsible for kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and other forms of violent crime,” he said.
“The fight against insecurity must remain relentless until every Nigerian can live and work without fear.”
Showunmi also acknowledged the support of Nigeria’s international partners, particularly the United States, for their continued cooperation in strengthening the country’s security capabilities.
He prayed for the rescued students, teachers, and their families, expressing hope that they would fully recover from the psychological trauma of their ordeal.
The politician further congratulated the Oyo State Government and the people of the state for their resilience and patience during the period of uncertainty, noting that the successful rescue had brought an end to a painful experience.
Speaking on long-term solutions to insecurity, Showunmi argued that sustainable security could only be achieved through inclusive development, saying economically empowered communities with effective governance were less vulnerable to criminal activities.
He therefore called for stronger local government institutions to promote grassroots development and improve community security.
The former presidential aspirant also renewed his advocacy for the establishment of state police, maintaining that Nigeria’s current security challenges require a more responsive, decentralised, and community-based policing system.
“The realities of modern security challenges require a more responsive and locally rooted policing framework. As a nation, we must continue the conversation and take the necessary steps toward a security architecture that reflects our federal character and developmental aspirations,” he said.
Showunmi expressed optimism that the Tinubu administration would continue to record successes in restoring peace and security across the country, adding that the success of the government remained closely tied to the success and stability of Nigeria.
