The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has commended the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15.

The party congratulated the rescued victims and their families, describing their safe return as heartwarming and a source of renewed hope for Nigerians.

This is contained in a statement on Saturday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Martins Egbeola.

The party commended the gallantry, professionalism and coordination of the security agencies, whose operation secured the victims’ release and neutralised nine terrorists involved in the attack.

It described the operation as a significant victory against terrorism and kidnapping, saying the feat demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-driven security interventions across the country.

According to the YPP, the operation marks a departure from ransom payments that embolden criminals and encourage the continued spread of kidnapping in the country.

The party urged the Federal Government to sustain intelligence-led security operations and strengthen efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the country.

It also called on Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance the fight against insecurity

“Every successful rescue through decisive security action sends a strong message that Nigeria will neither surrender to terrorists nor reward criminality,” the statement said.

The party urged President Bola Tinubu and security agencies to replicate the successful strategy nationwide, ensuring the freedom of abducted Nigerians through coordinated security operations.

It particularly appealed for intensified efforts to rescue pupils abducted in Borno State, saying that every Nigerian life deserved equal protection regardless of geographical location.

The party maintained that negotiating with terrorists should never become a national security policy, insisting that criminal networks must be dismantled through lawful and decisive security operations.

“Those who choose the path of terror should face the full weight of the law and the superior force of the Nigerian state,” it said.

The party said the government must retain the exclusive monopoly of the legitimate use of force and avoid actions strengthening criminal groups through ransom negotiations.

It expressed concern over increasing attacks on schools, warning that educational institutions were becoming vulnerable targets for terrorists and other violent criminal groups across the country.

According to the YPP, persistent attacks on schools threaten children’s safety, discourage enrolment and worsen Nigeria’s already alarming number of out-of-school children.

The party urged the federal and state governments to strengthen the safe schools initiative through improved intelligence, surveillance technology, community policing and rapid emergency response systems.

It also called for increased deployment of security personnel around schools, stressing that protecting pupils, teachers and educational institutions must remain a national priority.

“Government must strengthen the safe schools initiative to guarantee secure learning environments and prevent future attacks on pupils, teachers and educational institutions,” the statement added.

The party commended the security agents involved in the rescue operation and expressed hope that the successful mission would inspire sustained victories against terrorism and kidnapping in the country.

(NAN)