Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has expressed confidence that Nigeria’s security agencies have the capacity to track down the abductors of schoolchildren and teachers recently kidnapped in Oyo State, insisting that he did not believe the criminals were beyond the reach of the country’s security apparatus.
Buratai stated this during an interview on TVC on Tuesday while speaking on the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, an incident that has sparked nationwide outrage and intensified calls for their rescue.
Questioning the notion that security agencies were unable to trace the kidnappers, the former Army Chief and one-time Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, argued that the same institutions that can monitor and locate ordinary citizens and social media influencers should also be able to identify and track armed groups operating openly.
“I don’t believe security agencies can’t locate the bandits. If they can locate ordinary citizens, social media influencers, I don’t believe they can’t locate these bandits that flaunt their loots,” Buratai said.
He, however, stressed that locating criminals alone was not enough, noting that the country must continue to strengthen the operational capacity of its security institutions to effectively tackle insecurity.
“What I know is that there must be capacity building of all security agencies continuously,” he stated.
Buratai further called for an increase in the number of personnel across the armed forces and the police, saying the country required more manpower to effectively respond to growing security challenges.
“More troops need to be recruited, even the police,” he said.
The retired military officer noted that Nigeria already possessed specialised units trained to carry out sensitive rescue operations, including the recovery of kidnap victims.
“We have special forces that are trained for such rescue missions,” Buratai said.
According to him, the Nigerian Army also maintains dedicated units responsible for rescue operations and the protection of high-profile individuals.
“Even the Army has rescue and VIP protection units,” he added.
Buratai explained that rescue missions involving schoolchildren and other vulnerable victims often require a high degree of caution because of the danger posed to those being held captive.
“But the sensitivity of that kind of kidnap, and those involved, is to avoid collateral damage,” he stated.
His comments come amid growing pressure on security agencies to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oyo State since May 15.
The incident has triggered protests, industrial action by teachers, and widespread public concern across the country.
The Federal Government has repeatedly assured Nigerians that efforts were ongoing to secure the victims’ freedom. President Bola Tinubu recently directed security agencies to intensify intelligence-led rescue operations and ensure the safe return of the abducted children and teachers.
