President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has urged unity of purpose among Nigerians to defeat banditry, declaring that those who terrorise communities do not distinguish between party, faith or ethnicity.

Mr Akpabio made the call in his welcome address delivered on resumption from the Sallah recess at plenary on Tuesday in Abuja.

The Senate president, who was reacting to recent abductions in the country, said that the Senate resumed plenary under the mournful shadow of a tragedy that has shaken the nation.

He said the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo were not merely an attack on innocent citizens but an assault on the collective humanity of the nation.

“We mourn because if we cannot protect our children, we imperil our future.

“We mourn because a nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its teachers weakens the very foundations upon which education rests. And we mourn because, for as long as those children remain in captivity, our nation remains captive with them.

“Today, we grieve the loss of two dedicated educators, Mr Michael Oyedokun, who died in captivity, and Mr Adesiyan Adegboye, who lost his life during the attack. We also mourn the child whose life was cut short before its promise could be fulfilled; we share the pain of the bereaved families; their loss is our loss,” Mr Akpabio said.

He expressed hope that through the determined efforts of the government and security agencies, those still in captivity would be safely rescued and reunited with their loved ones.

After the Senate observed a minute silence in honour of the victims, Mr Akpabio, also on behalf of the Senate, condoled the bereaved families, the affected school community, and the government and people of Oyo State.

“At moments such as these, there is a temptation to divide, to accuse, and to seek advantage from tragedy. Politicians and aspirants must resist that temptation for such cheap publicity. Those who kidnap our children, terrorise our communities, and murder innocent citizens do not distinguish between party, faith, or ethnicity. Their assault is directed against Nigeria itself. Therefore, our response must be equal to the challenge. We must stand united, firm, and resolute.

“Let us continue to support every lawful and necessary measure to strengthen security, protect our schools, safeguard our communities, and ensure that every bandit faces the full weight of justice. The challenge before us is real, but so too is the courage of our people, the resilience of our institutions, and the enduring promise of Nigeria.

“Let us therefore approach the days ahead with collective resolve. Let us differ honestly but remain united in our devotion to Nigeria. Let us continue to conduct ourselves with dignity so that future generations will say that when Nigeria faced difficulty, this Senate did not falter; when leadership was required, this Senate did not shrink; and when duty called, this Senate answered,” Mr Akpabio said.

The Senate president urged lawmakers to be mindful that they were not merely representatives of their constituencies, but custodians of the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians who looked up to to the Senate for the realisation of a greater nation.

Mr Akpabio congratulated political parties that recently concluded their primaries and internal democratic processes and felicitated those who had secured the mandate of their parties to seek re-election.

“I know that there will always be victories and disappointments, yet above every individual triumph stands the greater triumph, the triumph of democracy itself,” he said.

(NAN)