Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has appealed to the abductors holding dozens of schoolchildren and their teachers captive to release them without delay and allow them to reunite with their families.
Obi made the appeal following the circulation of disturbing images and reports revealing the condition of some of the abducted children. He described the development as heartbreaking and a stark reflection of Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
In a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, the former Anambra State governor said the suffering of the children should serve as a wake-up call for Nigerians and particularly those responsible for their captivity.
“I am deeply shocked and heartbroken by the condition in which these abducted schoolchildren are, as seen from their battered bodies. It is a painful reminder of the depth of insecurity in our country,” Obi stated.
He argued that the tragedy highlights the consequences of years of poor governance, inadequate social investment, and the failure to tackle insecurity before it escalated into a national crisis.
According to Obi, societies ultimately pay a heavy price when leaders neglect the welfare, security, and future of their citizens.
“I have often said that the society we neglect today will take its revenge on our children tomorrow. What we are witnessing today is a painful manifestation of that reality. These innocent children have become victims of problems that should have been addressed long ago,” he said.
The NDC presidential hopeful further warned that insecurity, poor education, unemployment, and mounting debt burdens would continue to threaten the future of younger generations if left unchecked.
Addressing the abductors directly, Obi urged them to show compassion and release the children and their teachers.
“To those holding these children, I appeal to whatever humanity remains in your hearts. These children have done nothing wrong. They are somebody’s sons and daughters. They are the hopes of families and the future of our nation,” he said.
He asked the kidnappers to imagine their own children in similar circumstances and consider the anguish their families have endured since the abduction.
“No grievance, no hardship and no cause can justify the continued suffering of innocent children,” Obi added.
The former governor stressed that every child deserves the safety of a classroom rather than the trauma of captivity, insisting that there was still an opportunity for the abductors to make the right decision.
“Let mercy prevail over violence. Release these children and their teachers. Allow them to return home safely to their families, their schools and their future,” he pleaded.
Obi also called on security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims, urging authorities to deploy all available resources to secure their safe return.
He maintained that the protection of children must remain a national priority and called on governments at all levels to strengthen measures that would prevent schools from becoming targets of criminal attacks.
“Our children should never have to pay the price for the failures of society. We owe them security, hope and a future. We must do everything possible to bring them home safely,” Obi concluded.
