A senatorial aspirant for Osun Central, under the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Nathaniel Oduyemi, has called on parents across the country to take extra measures to safeguard their children as kidnappings of school pupils and teachers continue to increase nationwide.

Oduyemi, in a statement issued on Monday, expressed concern over the growing security crisis across the country, maintaining that attacks on schools represented a direct threat to the future of the nation.

According to him, the abduction of innocent children from schools, which should serve as safe environments for learning, indicated the inability of authorities to effectively tackle insecurity in the country.

Oduyemi declared that while kidnapping was not entirely new in Nigeria, the increasing frequency and boldness of the attacks had exposed serious weaknesses in the government’s security response.

He said: “The abduction of innocent pupils from schools that ought to be safe havens for learning is a tragic reminder that our nation is facing a grave security crisis.

“These attacks are not only assaults on the victims and their families; they are attacks on the future of our country.

“While kidnapping is unfortunately not new to Nigeria, the frequency, audacity, and scale of recent incidents have exposed the alarming weakness of the current administration’s response to insecurity.”

Oduyemi further criticised the Federal Government for its lukewarm attitude to the issue, particularly the kidnapping of school children in Ogbomosho, noting that affected families and communities were left traumatised while awaiting decisive action from authorities.

He warned against any perception that security responses were influenced by political considerations, stressing that every Nigerian child deserved equal protection regardless of geographical location or political affiliation.

The senatorial hopeful also faulted the handling of recent federal interventions following the Ogbomosho incident, arguing that Nigerians expected coordinated action among all levels of government rather than political gestures.

He further called on communities to strengthen local security arrangements and pay closer attention to the safety of their children.

He also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to demonstrate stronger leadership in addressing the security challenges confronting the country in general.

According to him, the Federal Government should be willing to seek wider support, including collaboration with international partners, while deploying all available resources and innovative security strategies to combat criminal gangs and terrorist groups.

Oduyemi warned that continued inaction could erode public confidence and push citizens towards self-help, with potential consequences for national peace and stability.

He urged the President to place humanity above politics and take urgent steps to restore confidence in the government’s ability to protect lives and property.

“Today, parents are crying, communities are living in fear, and Nigerians are becoming increasingly frustrated. The nation needs reassurance, empathy and urgent action from its leadership,” he added.