Onanuga knocks Atiku over silence on rescued Oyo pupils, hails Obi’s reaction
by Adeola Balogun · The Eagle OnlineThe Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has criticised the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, for failing to comment on the release of the abducted Oriire pupils and teachers.
Onanuga said almost 18 hours after the victims regained their freedom, the former vice president was yet to acknowledge the development.
In a post on his X handle on Saturday, Onanuga noted that Atiku had repeatedly criticised the Federal Government over the abduction while the victims remained in captivity.
He said the former vice-president had gone silent since their release.
“Almost 18 hours after the Oriire pupils and their teachers regained their freedom, Atiku Abubakar has not deemed it fit to rejoice with the Tinubu Federal Government, the security agencies and the traumatised victims,” Onanuga wrote.
He added that Atiku had “weaponised the kidnap as a campaign issue several times” since the abduction occurred 57 days ago.
Onanuga said the ADC chieftain’s silence was curious, given his previous frequent commentary on the matter.
“Maybe the veteran presidential runner is waiting for some bad news to attack the Tinubu administration,” he said.
The presidential aide, however, commended the Nigeria Democratic Congress candidate, Peter Obi, for reacting to the rescue.
He noted that Obi called for thanksgiving over the victims’ freedom, even though the former Anambra State governor did not commend Tinubu directly.
The 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted on May 15 when gunmen simultaneously attacked Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The attack also led to nationwide protests by members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers and other stakeholders after one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was killed by his captors.
While the pupils and teachers remained in captivity, Atiku had repeatedly demanded their release and faulted the government’s handling of the crisis.
He described the distribution of rice to affected families as “not governance” but “an abdication of responsibility,” insisting the priority should be rescue.
He also urged the government to treat the crisis with greater seriousness, warning that “every display of political merriment is a painful reminder of a government that appears increasingly disconnected from the suffering of its own people.”
In another statement, Atiku insisted that “when children are missing, the nation expects urgency. When teachers are abducted, the nation expects compassion.”
He also previously questioned the response of the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, and accused the administration of appearing more focused on political activities than on the victims’ plight.
Announcing their release on Friday, Onanuga said the operation involved no negotiation with the kidnappers.
He disclosed that eight suspected members of the gang were arrested and handed over to the Department of State Services, while several others were neutralised, adding that a kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded remained in custody and was being prosecuted.
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Obi, on his part, described the rescue as worthy of celebration but stopped short of praising the President.
In a statement on Saturday, he said he was “greatly relieved and delighted” to learn of the victims’ safe return and thanked all those whose efforts made their freedom possible, particularly the security personnel.
He, however, warned that the successful rescue should not overshadow the wider challenge of kidnapping across the country, stressing the need for stronger security measures to protect Nigerians.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the President had earlier welcomed the rescue, with Tinubu commending the military, the DSS and the police for what he described as their tireless efforts in securing the victims’ freedom without any concession to the abductors.
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