Popular Nigerian journalist and Arise TV anchor, Rufai Oseni, has expressed deep concern over the actions of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration following the release of 24 schoolgirls abducted by bandits in Maga, Kebbi State, last week.
In a viral video shared on Wednesday, Oseni criticised the government for negotiating with the bandits instead of adopting a more forceful response.
OSENI argued that while the government was quick to hand Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu a life sentence for alleged incitement, it was now engaging in dialogue with criminals responsible for kidnapping innocent citizens.
“I am happy about the fact that the kidnapped people were released. Halluaah. But what do they mean that they spoke with the kidnappers or bandits, and they released the people? Is it that you people did not arrest them? And you left them to go like that so that they will kidnap another person just as they have done? I shoulder a disbelief at what is happening in Nigeria. You negotiated with the criminals, bandits, and terrorists as what? a business partners? Should the government be negotiating in a case where it has superpowers? The same government has jailed Nmandi to life imprisonment for inciting violence. Still, the same people who kidnap and take people against their will, the government has the temerity to say we negotiate with them”, OSENI said in the viral video X on Wednesday.
CREEBHILLS reported that 24 schoolgirls were released on Tuesday, a development that prompted reactions nationwide.
Responding, President Tinubu stated, “I am relieved that all 24 girls have been accounted for.”
However, the circumstances surrounding their release have continued to spark public concern. Earlier, Nigerian rapper and activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, questioned how 38 abducted members of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke Isegun, Eruku, in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, were rescued without any arrests made.
Meanwhile, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga explained during an interview on Arise TV that security agents often avoid immediate confrontation with bandits to prevent harm to abducted citizens.
