By sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured protesting teachers and civil society organisations that security agencies are intensifying efforts to secure the release of abducted teachers and students, while cautioning against the politicisation of security challenges.
Wike gave the assurance on Tuesday when demonstrators gathered at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Secretariat in Abuja to demand the immediate rescue of victims of recent school abductions.
Addressing the protesters, the minister said the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring the safe return of those held captive and restoring public confidence in the nation’s security system.
“We are all concerned about this security situation. The government is on its toes to ensure that those who are kidnapped are rescued,” Wike said.
He expressed confidence in the ability of security agencies to secure the release of the victims, stressing the importance of swift action.
“I have that confidence that the security system will do all they can to make sure the teachers and the students that are being kidnapped are rescued, and let it be prompt,” he added.
The minister, however, warned against turning security issues into political debates, noting that insecurity is a national challenge affecting communities across the country.
According to him, incidents involving the abduction of teachers and students have occurred in several states, underscoring the need for a united national response rather than selective outrage.
“We are all concerned, but let us not politicise issues. That is what I will not support. We are all concerned about the security situation and how the teachers and students should be released,” he said.
Wike further disclosed that security agencies were operating within established protocols and had recorded progress in ongoing efforts to secure the freedom of those abducted.
He maintained that no responsible government would intentionally leave its citizens vulnerable to criminal elements, emphasizing that authorities are working under difficult circumstances to safeguard lives and property.
“There is no government that will deliberately say let citizens be kidnapped, but we know where we found ourselves and we know that everything possible is being done,” he stated.
Calling for greater national solidarity, the minister said insecurity should not be viewed through regional, ethnic, or political lenses, stressing that every security threat affects the country as a whole.
“What concerns you concerns everybody, and what concerns Abuja also concerns everybody. We are all looking at how people should rise up with the same dedication,” he said.
The protest comes amid growing public concern over recurring school abductions in parts of Nigeria. Teachers’ unions and civil society groups have continued to call on authorities to strengthen security around educational institutions and ensure the safe return of all victims.
Security remains one of the country’s most pressing challenges, with stakeholders urging sustained collaboration between government, security agencies, and local communities to protect schools and prevent future attacks.
