FG playing politics with security, northern coalition alleges

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has slammed the Federal Government over what it described as “double standards” in handling the recent mass abductions of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states.

The group accused the government of showing greater urgency and sympathy towards victims in Oyo State, while allegedly neglecting communities in Borno that suffered a similar tragedy on the same day.

In a statement by its National Coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the coalition said the disparity in official responses has fuelled concerns that some Nigerian lives are valued more than others.

According to the CNG, 46 pupils and teachers were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.

It noted that on the same day, terrorists also kidnapped 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.

While the Oyo incident reportedly attracted immediate federal intervention, including visits by top government officials and the approval of 1,000 forest guards for affected communities, the coalition claimed that Borno victims were left without similar attention.

“Where are the high-powered delegations? Where are the emergency interventions for Borno communities that have suffered repeated attacks, killings and kidnappings for years?” Charanchi queried.

The group warned that a selective security system could deepen public frustration and threaten national unity.

It further questioned whether the swift response to Oyo would have been the same if the victims were from a remote Northern community.

The coalition stressed that it was not seeking less attention for Oyo but demanding equal concern, empathy and action for all victims of insecurity across the country.

It called on the Federal Government to intensify rescue efforts in both states, strengthen security around schools and rural communities and launch aggressive intelligence-led operations against terrorist and bandit networks.

“The blood of innocent Nigerian children must never become a political calculation. Every Nigerian life matters equally, regardless of location,” the group declared.