Oriire Rescue: NHRC Demands Renewed Push to Free All Kidnap Victims Across Nigeria

Oriire Rescue: NHRC Demands Renewed Push to Free All Kidnap Victims Across Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has commended Nigeria’s security agencies for the successful rescue of the abducted pupils and staff of Oriire International School in Ibadan, Oyo State, but has warned against treating the operation as an isolated victory amid the country’s worsening kidnapping crisis.

The Commission’s Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu,
said while the rescue had brought relief to affected families, it should serve as a catalyst for intensified efforts to secure the freedom of hundreds of other Nigerians still being held captive across the country.

In a statement issued by the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Fatimah Mohammed, Ojukwu praised the coordinated efforts of security agencies that led to the successful operation but stressed that every Nigerian deserves equal protection.

“Every life matters. The joy of one family reunited must become the standard for every family still waiting in anguish,” he said.

According to him, although the rescue is commendable, many Nigerians remain in captivity, with their families continuing to endure uncertainty and emotional trauma.

“While we commend this rescue, we are reminded that hundreds of Nigerians are still missing, still suffering, and still hoping. The State has a duty to protect the right to life and personal liberty of every citizen under Sections 33 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution,” Ojukwu stated.

The NHRC described kidnappings of schoolchildren, commuters, and residents as grave violations of fundamental human rights, warning that the persistent wave of abductions continues to deepen fear and insecurity across the country.

Ojukwu urged the Federal Government, security agencies and state governments to intensify intelligence gathering, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and adopt more victim-centred rescue strategies to ensure that all abducted persons regain their freedom.

“Rescuing one is commendable. Rescuing all is the mandate. No Nigerian should be left behind in captivity,” he added.

The Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of everyone living in Nigeria, while calling on all levels of government to redouble efforts to tackle insecurity in all its forms.

The NHRC’s appeal comes against the backdrop of persistent kidnapping incidents across several parts of Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly targeted schools, highways and rural communities for ransom. Although security agencies have recorded notable successes in rescuing some victims, rights advocates continue to express concern over the growing number of Nigerians who remain in captivity and the psychological, social and economic toll the crisis has imposed on families and communities.

Oriire Rescue: NHRC Demands Renewed Push to Free All Kidnap Victims Across Nigeria