TDProfessor Mercy Funmilayo Adesanya‑Davies, former presidential candidate and United Nations POLAC Peace Consul, has added her voice to the nationwide “Bring Our Children Back” movement following the abduction of students and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and Papiri, Niger State.
In a press statement, Prof. Adesanya‑Davies condemned the attacks and called for urgent, coordinated action to secure the safe return of the victims.
Adesanya-Davies Condemns Attacks, Defends Education
Prof. Adesanya‑Davies described the kidnappings as an assault on the sanctity of education and human life.
She declared that “the chalk must speak louder than the gun” and insisted that no teacher should die in service to humanity.
She expressed deep sympathy for affected families and communities.
The academic noted the profound distress of parents and teachers while dozens of students and educators remain in captivity.
Adesanya-Davies Commends Government Assurances, Demands Immediate Action
Prof. Adesanya‑Davies acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s assurances that the abducted children are alive and that reunification is a priority.
She, however, urged that assurances be matched with decisive action.
She called on President Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Governor Umar Bago of Niger State to treat the kidnappings as a national emergency and to intensify rescue efforts.
Welcoming Governor Bago’s directive to close schools in Niger State, she said it serves as a precautionary measure.
She, however, stressed that the focus must remain on rescue rather than blame.
Adesanya-Davies Supports Peaceful Protest, Inclusive Dialogue
Adesanya‑Davies commended the Nigeria Union of Teachers, parents, and civil society groups for organising peaceful solidarity rallies across Lagos, Abuja, and other cities.
She affirmed the right to protest while urging demonstrators to remain peaceful and to pair public demonstrations with constructive dialogue involving government and security agencies.
“Nigeria requires all hands on deck — regardless of tribe, religion or political divide,” she said, urging unity in pursuit of the children’s safe return.
Clear Demands to Government and Security Agencies
Prof. Adesanya‑Davies set out specific demands to strengthen immediate response and long‑term prevention:
- Immediate rescue of all abducted students and teachers with zero casualties
- Enhanced protection for schools through upgraded security architecture in rural and urban communities
- Transparency via regular briefings to parents and the public on rescue operations
- Justice and accountability for perpetrators of school kidnappings
- Long‑term solutions addressing root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and insecurity She emphasised that faith in the victims’ safe return must be matched by decisive government action.
Prof. Funmilayo Adesanya‑Davies is a Professor of Applied Linguistics, former presidential candidate, UN‑POLAC Peace Consul, and Secretary General of the Board of Trustees of UN‑POLAC.
Her statement reinforces calls for coordinated national effort to protect schools and restore public confidence in security institutions.
