Dada Olusegun, a media aide to President Bola Tinubu, on Monday said Nigerians should direct the bulk of their anger and criticisms over the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and staff to the terrorists who masterminded the abduction. 

Mr Olusegun made the statement on Monday while responding to the outrage over the abduction of Oyo schoolchildren on X.

An X user @fix_nigeria_ had lashed out at President Bola Tinubu’s delegation to Oyo State, led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, saying, “You guys are definitely not on top of the situation, and there’s nothing to give assurances it won’t repeat itself. It has repeated itself many times in times past and in this administration.”

Responding to @fix_nigeria_’s post, Mr Olusegun said that though his outburst was understandable, the bulk of it should be targeted at the terrorists who abducted the Oyo schoolchildren and staff.

“I understand your anger, but a large bulk of it should be reserved for the cowardly terrorists who use kids as human shields,” Mr Olusegun said.

The presidential aide added, “These kids have to be rescued alive. It serves no purpose for our armed forces to charge in headfirst and hope for the best. They are kids, fgs!”

Leading a delegation to Esinele and Yawota communities, where bandits abducted 46 schoolchildren and staff on May 15, Mr Gbajabiamila assured that the federal government was working on rescuing the victims.

“Don’t be scared or worried, we are on top of the situation, your children will be rescued soonest. For those who were killed, we will go see the families, and I’m certain this will not repeat itself,” he said.

For over 17 days, the terrorists have kept the abducted schoolchildren and teachers in captivity, occasionally releasing videos in which some of the abducted staff were compelled to tell the government to negotiate with them.

Meanwhile, one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, has been killed by the terrorists. 

In the last video released by the terrorists, one of the abductees and the Principal of Community High School, Esinele, Rachael Alamu, at gunpoint, pleaded with the government to negotiate for their release.

She also stated that one of the victims had been picked to be killed by the terrorists should the government deploy forces to rescue them.