Adopted Schoolchildren: GOMEP-NG Raises Alarm Over Nigeria’s Insecurity

As families wait anxiously for the safe return of abducted schoolchildren, GOMEP-NG has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s security response, urging the government to prioritise the protection of lives over political ambitions.

GOMEP-NG has raised concerns over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, calling for urgent action to rescue abducted schoolchildren, strengthen school security and protect vulnerable communities.
ABUJA— The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has expressed grave concern over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, warning that the continued captivity of abducted schoolchildren raises serious questions about the government’s ability to protect lives and property.

The guild’s National President, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, reportedly expressed concern that criminal groups operating from forest hideouts appeared to be gaining the upper hand against government security agencies.

He described the situation as deeply troubling, stressing that protecting citizens remains one of the most fundamental responsibilities of any government.

GOMEP-NG’s concerns come amid growing anxiety over the fate of schoolchildren reportedly abducted in Borno State, whose continued captivity has heightened fears among parents, affected communities and Nigerians across the country.

The guild also drew attention to the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, noting that the pupils were reportedly released on the same day, while concerns persisted over the fate of those abducted in Borno.

The contrasting developments, it said, underscore the urgency of strengthening security measures to protect pupils and educational institutions across the country.

In its condemnation of the incidents, GOMEP-NG described the situation as a source of national embarrassment, insisting that the safety of citizens, particularly vulnerable children, must remain a foremost priority of the government.

The guild also expressed concern over the growing political focus on the 2027 general elections while families continue to await the safe return of their abducted children.

According to the organisation, the attention being devoted to electoral calculations amid persistent security threats raises important questions about national priorities.

GOMEP-NG maintained that the protection of lives and property must take precedence over political ambitions, stressing that preparations for future elections should not overshadow the urgent responsibility to secure communities and prevent further abductions.

The guild called for renewed commitment to intelligence-led security operations, improved protection for schools and vulnerable communities, and decisive measures to ensure that abducted children are safely reunited with their families.

It further urged the relevant authorities to demonstrate their commitment through tangible results rather than statements of concern, noting that public confidence in government is closely linked to its ability to protect citizens from threats to their lives and safety.

As concerns persist over the fate of the abducted pupils, GOMEP-NG called on security agencies and other relevant authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release and address the wider security challenges confronting communities across Nigeria.

The guild stressed that the issue extends beyond the fate of the individual victims, describing the situation as a critical test of the government’s responsibility to safeguard the people it serves.