Nigeria Celebrates the Return of Abducted Pupils and Teachers

Congratulations, Nigeria! We are finally celebrating good news instead of mourning. We come together in hope and joy to welcome back our 39 pupils and seven teachers who were kidnapped from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. Their 56-day nightmare ended last week.

People across Nigeria, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or politics, are filled with joy. We thank God for the safe return of those who showed incredible strength during their ordeal. These brave individuals are not just survivors; they are symbols of resilience and courage. Each one has a story of survival that will inspire many for years to come. Their absence was deeply felt, but now we hear their laughter and witness their joy.

The Tinubu administration handled this situation well. No ransoms were paid, and there was no deal to exchange prisoners. Eight members of the gang were arrested. The state has shown it can protect its people. There are many ways to improve, but this is a positive step. Let’s focus on moving forward together, drawing from our strength, compassion, and unity. We should build on the spirit of bravery and teamwork that helped us outsmart the bandits.

Mrs Rachel Alamu, the principal of Community Grammar School, Esiele, spoke on behalf of the victims. She thanked President Bola Tinubu for his leadership. “Mr President, sir, we are grateful. We understand your commitment to our safety, and we appreciate all you did for us. Thank you very much… and every security operative; they tried so much, and that is why we are still alive now. We are very grateful to you. Thank you.”

Watching her video made me think of Mr Michael Oyedokun, the Mathematics teacher who was killed by the terrorists. His death sparked anger across the country about how the government handled the crisis. May his soul rest in peace.

When the news of the captives’ release came, it felt like rain during a dry season. It was a moment when Nigerians really needed some good news. The government must keep showing that protecting citizens is its main job. Over time, we have learned that it is not what the government says that matters; it is what it does. We must have zero tolerance for terrorism. The only acceptable terrorist is a dead one.

Arise News and ThisDay recently held a conference titled “Building a National Consensus for State Police and National Security.” I have supported the idea of state police for many years and welcome opportunities to discuss it. I also believe in getting more opinions on how to improve security in our country.

But when I saw the list of speakers, I worried that some local activists might cause a scene at the airport against a main speaker, Ehud Barak, former prime minister of Israel. I thought they would react more strongly than some activists in South Africa.

Fortunately, Mr Barak joined the conference via Zoom, so there was no need for drama.

Why would anyone protest against someone like 84-year-old Ehud Barak? He is a politician and retired general with 35 years in the Israel Defence Forces, retiring in 1995 as the most decorated soldier in Israeli history, and served as prime minister from 1999 to 2001.

In some circles, any question about an Israeli official is seen as anti-Semitic. This tactic is often overused and recognized by many as too simplistic. Everyone in the public eye should be open to criticism.

While I applaud the speakers at the conference and acknowledge that Barak’s knowledge on intelligence might be useful, we need to listen to those who look deeper into issues.

Critics raised concerns about Barak’s past business dealings in West Africa. Reports revealed that he, along with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, marketed Israeli cyber-surveillance technology to Nigeria under the guise of fighting Boko Haram.

Activists also worry about human rights. They say that using technology developed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict could threaten civil liberties and press freedom in Nigeria. Bringing Barak to an academic event is seen by some as prioritizing profit over democratic rights.

Barak’s connections with Epstein are a major concern for those against his presence. Declassified documents show that Barak had a 15-year relationship with Epstein, often using properties linked to him. Opponents argue that inviting someone with such a controversial background damages the integrity of our national discussions.

Nigeria has a long history of supporting Palestinian self-determination. Many Nigerians view Israel’s actions as colonial. Hosting a former Israeli prime minister is seen by critics as supporting Israel’s military actions, which contradicts Nigeria’s traditional support for Palestine.

Inviting a well-known Israeli political figure can create divisions in Nigeria. Critics say this could increase internal tensions for an event that is meant to be academic. Sometimes, the person delivering the message can overshadow the message itself.

In all situations, we must remember that words are cheap. What truly matters is not what is said but what is done!