Makinde Urges UN, Global Rights Bodies to Probe Attacks on Rural Schools After 46 Captives Regain Freedom
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Grace Chidimma Ibe
OYO — Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has called on the United Nations (UN) and international human rights organizations to initiate a global investigation into the persistent attacks on rural schools, describing the trend as a grave threat to children's right to education.
The governor made the appeal while celebrating the safe rescue of 46 abducted victims who regained their freedom after spending 57 days in captivity.
Speaking during a visit to the survivors at the 2 Division Nigerian Army Medical Services, Makinde commended the security agencies for their intelligence-led operations, noting that the successful rescue demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated security efforts.
However, he stressed that domestic security measures alone would not be enough to end the recurring attacks, arguing that the criminal networks behind school kidnappings often operate across national borders and require international collaboration to dismantle.
"We have proven that resilience and intelligence-led operations triumph, but the global community must look into these shadow networks," the governor said.
Makinde maintained that an international investigation would help expose the financiers, collaborators and logistics channels sustaining the criminal groups responsible for attacks on schools and rural communities.
He described the abduction of students and school workers as an attack on the fundamental right to education, warning that educational institutions should never become targets in violent conflicts.
The governor urged the international community to strengthen support for Nigeria in combating transnational criminal networks and ensuring that schools remain safe environments for learning.
School abductions have remained a major security challenge in Nigeria in recent years, particularly in rural communities where security infrastructure is limited. Hundreds of students have been kidnapped in separate incidents across several states, prompting renewed calls for stronger security measures and improved protection for schools.
The Federal Government has continued implementing the Safe Schools Initiative, while security agencies have intensified intelligence gathering and rescue operations aimed at preventing further attacks.
Security analysts have consistently argued that many kidnapping syndicates maintain links with cross-border criminal networks involved in arms trafficking, illegal mining and ransom payments. They say enhanced intelligence sharing among West African countries is critical to disrupting these networks.
Education and child rights advocates have also welcomed increased attention to school safety, urging governments at all levels to invest more in secure school infrastructure, early-warning systems and psychosocial support for survivors of abductions.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly emphasized that attacks on schools constitute serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights principles and have called for stronger accountability mechanisms against perpetrators.
