The Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), Comrade Issa Aremu, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the nation’s gallant security agencies on the successful rescue of the pupils, principal and staff abducted from a school in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Comrade Aremu described the operation as a significant demonstration of the growing capacity, professionalism and determination of Nigeria’s security forces under the Renewed Hope Agenda to confront criminal elements and restore confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
While welcoming the safe release of the victims, he expressed profound sympathy to the family of the victim who was brutally murdered during the unfortunate incident.
Eliminate Kidnapping
Aremu said the tragic loss serves as a painful reminder that Nigeria must sustain and deepen ongoing efforts to eliminate kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes across the country.
According to him, the successful rescue operation has renewed the hope of Nigerians that, with determined political leadership, improved intelligence, adequate funding and the courage of the nation’s security personnel, insecurity can be substantially overcome.
He commended the sacrifices of members of the Armed Forces, intelligence services, the Police and other security agencies who continue to put their lives on the line daily in defence of the nation, urging Nigerians to continue supporting them through timely information, cooperation and responsible citizenship.
Prevent Future Occurrences
The MINILS Director-General however, stressed that beyond successful rescue operations, the nation must now focus on preventing future occurrences.
He urged the Federal Government and relevant state governments to ensure that forests and remote areas used as criminal hideouts are no longer left ungoverned or economically abandoned.
Comrade Aremu reiterated his long-standing position that Nigeria should move beyond merely policing vulnerable territories to productively occupying them through deliberate economic development.
According to him, forests and other underutilised spaces should be transformed into centres of legitimate economic activity through agro-industrial projects, sustainable forestry, eco-tourism, ranching, mining where appropriate, industrial clusters and other productive investments capable of creating jobs and strengthening government presence.
He noted that productive occupation of such spaces would not only deny criminal groups safe havens but also generate employment, stimulate local economies and enhance national security.
“The long-term solution is to relentlessly pursue criminals and also ensure that no part of Nigeria is abandoned to criminality. Every part of our national territory should become a space for lawful economic activity, productive enterprise and community development,” he stated.
Comrade Aremu reaffirmed MINILS’ commitment to promoting the Labour–Security Nexus, which recognises that employment creation, industrialisation, labour education, community participation and inclusive development are indispensable complements to conventional security operations.
He called on all Nigerians to remain united behind the Federal Government and the nation’s security institutions in the collective task of building a peaceful, secure and prosperous Nigeria.
