Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has condemned the abduction of schoolchildren in Borno and Oyo states, describing the incidents as “a brutal assault on Nigeria’s future.”

The attacks involved the abduction of pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, as well as coordinated assaults on schools in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The affected schools in Oyo include Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.

In a statement issued on Monday, Olawepo-Hashim said the repeated targeting of schoolchildren represented a dangerous escalation in terror tactics and a direct attack on education and national stability.

“Schools must never become theatres of fear,” he said, warning that continued attacks on learning institutions could deepen insecurity across generations.

He expressed sympathy with affected families and urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward the safe rescue of the abducted victims.

“The safe and immediate rescue of the children must be treated as a national priority,” he stated.

According to him, the attacks exposed ongoing weaknesses in Nigeria’s rural security architecture, where armed groups continue to exploit ungoverned spaces, poverty and weak state presence.

Referencing the recent killing of an ISIS commander during a joint Nigerian-United States military operation, Olawepo-Hashim acknowledged the military success but cautioned against relying solely on isolated tactical victories.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder that tactical victories alone cannot secure the nation,” he said.

He called for a comprehensive national security strategy that combines sustained military operations, intelligence coordination, improved border control, expanded rural security presence and targeted socio-economic interventions.

Olawepo-Hashim also urged the international community to pay closer attention to Nigeria’s worsening security situation, warning that instability in the country could have broader implications for West and Central Africa.

“The world must not become desensitised,” he said.

“No nation can thrive when its children are hunted and its schools are under siege.”