Nollywood actor Femi Branch has appealed to Nigerian politicians to stop using children as pawns in political conflicts, following the release of the 46 pupils and teachers abducted from Orire Community High School in Oyo State.

Branch made the appeal in a video shared on his Instagram page on Saturday, amid growing concerns over the recurring abduction of schoolchildren across the country.

The Orire school pupils and teachers regained their freedom on Friday, July 10, 2026, after spending 56 days in captivity.
Reacting to comments made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on the incident, Branch expressed concern that the abduction had become a subject of political debate and urged political actors to leave children out of their differences.

“I just want to make an appeal and beg us in this country. I’m not directing this to anybody, but I’m begging all of us that whatever dirty politics we’re all playing, can we just leave the innocent children out of it,” he said.

According to the actor, Nigerian children are already burdened by numerous challenges, including poor access to quality education, and should not be made victims of political struggles.

“The children in this country are suffering enough. The so-called schools they are going to, the quality of education and everything is scrambled. They are suffering enough. Can we just leave them out of this dirty politics that we’re playing?” he said.

Branch also drew attention to the emotional and psychological impact of the prolonged captivity on the victims, noting that the children would likely require trauma care and rehabilitation.

“Innocent children were in the bush for 56 days. Those kids must be traumatised by now and need to be attended to,” he added.

Referring to Governor Makinde’s remarks, Branch said the governor had suggested that the abduction occurred shortly after he declared his intention to seek the presidency, implying that the incident could have been politically motivated.

“The governor came out and said he declared to be president at 4 p.m. and by 9 a.m. the next morning, the children and the teachers were taken away, thereby insinuating that it was a political game,” Branch said.

While stressing that he was not attacking any individual or political group, the actor renewed his appeal for children to be shielded from political disputes.

“Please, I’m not attacking or calling out anybody. I’m just appealing to us to leave the innocent children out of our madness,” he said.

The actor’s remarks come amid renewed public concern over insecurity and the persistent targeting of schools by kidnappers, with calls for stronger measures to protect children and educational institutions across Nigeria.