By Bosun Obafemi
More than a month after the abduction of the Oriire kidnapped victims on Friday, May 15, 2026, Nigerians are increasingly asking a painful question: When will they be rescued?
Behind every passing day of uncertainty are families trapped in anguish, children deprived of their loved ones, and victims enduring conditions that no citizen should ever experience. Reports and testimonies suggest that these innocent Nigerians have been subjected to unimaginable humiliation and suffering. Their continued captivity is not merely a local tragedy; it is a national emergency that demands urgent and decisive action.
Unfortunately, the responses from both the state and federal governments have not inspired sufficient public confidence. While security operations are often sensitive and not all information can be disclosed, citizens are justified in expecting visible commitment, strategic communication, and tangible progress. The prolonged silence and apparent lack of urgency have left many wondering whether enough is being done to secure the freedom of the captives.
In the midst of this uncertainty, civil society actors have stepped forward to keep the issue in the national consciousness. Individuals such as VeryDarkMan (VDM), Omoyele Sowore, other influencers, activists, and concerned citizens deserve recognition for refusing to allow the victims to be forgotten. Their advocacy has amplified the voices of affected families and reminded public officials that every day in captivity matters.
However, while public advocacy is welcome, the involvement of non-state actors in direct rescue efforts should be strongly discouraged. Security operations require coordination, intelligence, professionalism, and accountability. Allowing unofficial groups to assume responsibilities that properly belong to the state risks complicating rescue efforts, creating operational confusion, and potentially endangering the lives of the victims.
The responsibility for rescuing the Oriire victims must remain firmly with the Nigerian state. Their freedom should be sacrosanct to the political class, regardless of party affiliation, ethnic background, or electoral calculations. The safety of citizens is the first duty of government. Any administration that fails to prioritize that responsibility risks undermining public trust in the institutions of the state.
The current crisis also raises uncomfortable questions about the effectiveness and integrity of some security structures. Military and security teams assigned to counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations should undergo rigorous vetting to identify and remove compromised personnel. Allegations of information leakage and collusion between criminals and security operatives have persisted for years. Whether such allegations are true in every case or not, restoring public confidence requires transparency and accountability.
Equally important is the need to reassess policies that may inadvertently weaken deterrence. The so-called repentant terrorist programme deserves critical review. While rehabilitation can be an important component of conflict resolution, many Nigerians remain unconvinced that the programme has produced the desired outcomes. The continued reintegration of individuals linked to violent extremism, while communities remain vulnerable to attacks and kidnappings, sends a troubling signal. Government must prioritize justice for victims and security for citizens above all else.
Beyond security operations, Nigeria must confront the economic realities that contribute to instability. Poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion create fertile ground for criminal recruitment and violent extremism. A stronger economy alone will not eliminate kidnapping, but sustainable economic growth can reduce the pool of vulnerable individuals who are drawn into criminal enterprises. Security and economic development must therefore be pursued as complementary objectives rather than separate policy goals.
The rescue of the Oriire victims should not become another unresolved chapter in Nigeria’s long history of insecurity. Every passing day deepens the suffering of families and weakens public faith in government institutions. The political class, security agencies, and all relevant stakeholders must treat this matter with the urgency it deserves.
The question should no longer be whether the victims will be rescued. The question is why it is taking so long, and what more must be done to bring them home safely.
The nation waits. Their families wait. And justice demands that the wait should not be much longer.
