ABUJA — Public outrage intensified Monday over what critics describe as the Nigerian federal government's unequal response to recent school kidnappings in Oyo and Borno states, with advocacy groups accusing authorities of selective attention based on geography.
Armed men abducted dozens of schoolchildren and teachers in coordinated attacks on schools in Oyo State's Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, prompting protests, teacher strikes and high-level visits from state and federal officials. Similar abductions have been reported in Borno State, yet those incidents have drawn less visible federal engagement, according to critics.
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) accused the government of applying double standards. In a statement, the group's national coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, said the Oyo incident "rightly triggered national outrage and attracted immediate attention from the Federal Government," while victims in Borno "have largely been abandoned to silence and neglect."
Authorities have confirmed abductions in Oyo involving pupils and teachers from multiple schools, including Baptist Nursery and Primary School and others in the area. One teacher was reported killed during the attacks. Protests by teachers, parents and civil groups have continued in Oyo State, with the Nigerian Union of Teachers directing members to withdraw services in solidarity.
Details on the exact number of those still missing remain unclear, with community reports and official figures varying. Rescue efforts are ongoing, but no comprehensive update on releases or recoveries was available as of Monday.
The incidents have renewed broader concerns about school safety across Nigeria, where mass abductions of students have occurred periodically in recent years, particularly in the north. Human rights organizations and local stakeholders have called for consistent protection measures regardless of region.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and federal delegations visited affected communities following the May attacks, offering assurances of intensified efforts. In contrast, groups from Borno have highlighted what they see as insufficient federal response to abductions there.
The House of Representatives has adopted motions urging the immediate rescue of victims in both states and calling for stronger security around schools.
As of Monday, federal authorities had not issued a detailed public comparison of responses to the incidents in the two states. Protests and demands for equitable action continued in several locations.
