The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has commended the successful rescue of abducted pupils, teachers and other victims in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The party congratulated the rescued pupils, teachers and their families, describing their safe return as heartwarming and a source of renewed hope for Nigerians.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Martins Egbeola.
The Party also 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 outcome demonstrated the effectiveness of intelligence-led security operations.
According to the party, the rescue marks a departure from ransom payments, which embolden criminal groups and encourage the continued spread of kidnapping across the country.
The YPP urged the Federal Government to sustain intelligence-driven security operations and intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks nationwide.
It also called on Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to strengthen 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 across the country to ensure that all abducted Nigerians regain their freedom through coordinated security operations.
It also appealed for intensified efforts to secure the release of students abducted in Borno State, stressing that every Nigerian life deserves equal protection regardless of location.
The YPP 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 added that the government must retain the exclusive monopoly of the legitimate use of force and avoid actions that strengthen criminal groups through ransom negotiations.
It expressed concern over the increasing attacks on schools, warning that educational institutions were becoming vulnerable targets for terrorists and other violent criminal groups.
According to the YPP, the persistent attacks threaten the safety of pupils and teachers, discourage school enrolment and worsen the country’s out-of-school children crisis.
The party urged the federal and state governments to strengthen the Safe Schools Initiative through improved intelligence gathering, 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 personnel involved in the rescue operation and expressed hope that the successful mission would inspire sustained victories against terrorism and kidnapping across the country.