Freed Oyo pupils and their teacher
There is so much that we should still push to know. It is time to now count the chicks. Some titbits of information are in the media. Claims that eight terrorists were captured alive, as many were “unalived” using the pidgin rendition of killing, require substantiations. That the security forces rounded up family members of the terrorists in different states in Northern Nigeria and delivered a clear message of killing those family members in retaliation for any further deaths among the victims beyond the dastardly slaughter of Michael Oyedokun and the killing of another teacher on the day of the kidnap is interesting, if true.
Growing up in Ijebu-Ode, my responsibility included joining other children in protecting respective family hens and their chicks from predators. A practical proverbial guide directed our efforts: one must first drive away the eagle before counting the chicks. This meant being prepared with stones and catapults to intervene when the hens became overwhelmed by an eagle circling above. If we were vigilant and prepared, the predator stood no chance.
The Oriire kidnap of children and teachers in Oyo State is on my mind. It was great that our security forces, as should be expected in a normal country, got involved and after 56 days rescued the victims. I join Nigerians in appreciating the stellar efforts of the security forces under the overall leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who ostensibly worked behind the scenes with the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde. So far, Nigerians have been told that no ransom was paid, and no quid pro quo demands by the kidnappers were agreed to in exchange for the release of the victims unharmed.
