Govt Could Not Rescue Schoolgirls, They Negotiated With Us – Terrorists Boast
Nigerians Poised To Reject Incompetent Govt - Aregbesola
•As Party Leaders Canvass Aggressive Mobilisation, Support For ADC In Osun
Yusuf Oketola
THE Na onal Secretary of the African Democra c Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has reiterated that Nigerians have resolved to vote out the ruling party at the state and federal levels, as they have shown to be incompetent in
the management of the people’s welfare.
Aregbesola, while addressing thousands of party members, supporters and loyalists across the state in Osogbo, on Tuesday, emphasised that the present challenges of insecurity, banditry, corrup on, poverty, lack of good
governance, among others has shown that those in the reins of power do not have what it takes to lead the country to its desired zenith.
He said it is me for Nigerians to speak with one voice and galvanise their fellow countrymen to vote out the ruling par es at all levels.
The former Governor of Osun noted that his party presents the viable alterna ve to addressing the na on’s challenges and redirect the development aspira ons of the state to where the people want.
His words, “There is nowhere in Osun that the people do not
resonate with what we represent. Our achievements and legacies when we were here con nue to speak for us. That is why we get the kind of recep on we have any me we come here, par cularly Osogbo, the state capital.
“There is no sector where they have not failed. They have disappointed Nigerians in almost every sphere. The economy is in dire straits, insecurity is ravaging the country, as well as many pi alls of the present administraon.
“The only viable alterna ve to all of these
is our great party, the African Democra c Congress (ADC), which is poised to liberate the people and make life more abundant for the masses.
“We are glad that our people have resolved to vote out an incompetent government. Our party, if elected, will correct all of the governance misnormals and set the tone for our dear state, Osun and country to witness a masses oriented development.
“Con nue to mobilise and draw more people to join the party and par cipate in the ongo-
•A massive crowd of supporters and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at the grand finale of Osun ADC Federal Constituency Tour, in Osogbo, yesterday
Inset: Leaders of the party led by the National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2025
Govt Could Not Rescue Schoolgirls, They Negotiated With Us – Terrorists Boast
Yusuf Oketola
Anew video has surfaced showing a terrorist boas ng that the Nigerian government nego ated with the bandits who abducted the Kebbi schoolgirls and arrived at a deal before the girls were set free.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that some of the kidnapped students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, were released on Tuesday with the government claiming that no ransom was paid before their release.
But a video has surfaced online revealing that the government had nego ated with the abductors before the girls were set free.
In the clip shared by @AM_Saleeem on X, one of the armed men is heard ques oning the schoolgirls about military aircra that flew over the forest during their cap vity.
He asks how many jets passed above them, and the girls respond, “uncountable.”
The kidnapper then boasts that the authories could not rescue the students by force and had to nego ate. The abductors also asked the girls about their condion in cap vity.
“Did we leave you hungry?” one bandit asked.
“No,” the girls replied.
“Were you assaulted in any way?” he asked again.
“No,” they answered.
Another kidnapper told them, “We will take you back home safe to your parents, we are doing this based on peace deals.”
He also mocked the government again, asking, “How many helicop-
ters did you see hover around?” The students replied that they could
not count them. At the end of the video, one of the abductors
declared, “We are le ng you go a er nego aons. Your government cannot rescue you with might. Your government has failed.”
School Abductions Surge Across Northern Nigeria As Bandits Replace Insurgents
Afresh data on school abducons in Nigeria have shown a disturbing resurgence of large-scale a acks, with incidents occurring at more than double the pre-2023 rate.
According to a compiled report on school kidnappings, eight major school abduc on incidents were recorded between 2014 and
2021, while four major cases occurred between March 2024 and November 2025 alone.
The document revealed that while the earlier cases spanned about seven years, the recent incidents happened within less than two years, pushing the es mated annual rate from about 1.1 incidents per year to 2.3 incidents per year.
In terms of vic-
ms, approximately 1,172 students were abducted between 2014 and 2021, compared to around 630 students between 2024 and 2025. This has doubled the esmated number of children kidnapped yearly from about 160 – 170 to 350 –370 students.
The report also showed a geographical shi . Early attacks began mainly in the North-East — Borno and Yobe — before spreading to the North-West and
North-Central, but recent abduc ons are now largely concentrated in Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger States.
While early incidents were linked to Boko Haram and its splinter groups, recent cases are primarily carried out by armed bandits and criminal gangs, driven largely by ransom payments rather than ideology.
The targe ng pa ern has also changed.
Although many
Nigerians Poised To Reject... Olanipekun Calls
•Continued from page 1
ing Con nuous Voter Registra on (CVR) exercise. We promise you all a government of vision, mission and direc on,” Aregbesola stated further.
Receiving the former Minister and his entourage in his palace earlier, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II pledged to back the resolve of the African Democra c Congress (ADC) to reclaim the state.
The Ataoja, who recalled the monumental transforma on of Osogbo to a modern capi-
tal city, during the Aregbesola administra on (2010-2018), promised that the people of the town will back the party in 2026.
“Aregbesola’s journey this me around is different. This is because he has come now to work assiduously for the be erment of the people of Osun.
“He is one man I respect a lot, because when some naysayers were moun ng pressure on him to do dethrone me, he did not listen to them.
“We are not ingrates in Osogbo. Osogbo is always united when it
comes to Poli cs. I will never leave Aregbesola. I will always support him and all he represents,” the monarch stated.
The event also served as a mobilisa on centre as senior party figures; Dr. Charles Omidiji, Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, Senator Felix Ogunwale, Alhaji Moshood Adeo , Dr. Najeem Salaam and others charged party members to recommit themselves to grassroots engagement.
They described the ADC as the only party with the moral clarity and capacity to rescue Osun and Nigeria from the current decline.
Fearlier a acks focused on girls’ schools, recent incidents now involve mixed schools, students and teaching staff, with larger numbers abducted per incident.
The report observed that government response has shi ed from heavy military opera ons against insurgents to reac ve school closures and case-bycase nego a ons, as interna onal bodies con nue to raise concerns over rising impunity.
for Regional Federalism to Save Nigeria
ORMER NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, has renewed calls for regional federalism as a solu on to Nigeria’s polical and social challenges.
He said devolving powers to the regions would promote proper integra on, while the central government retains only core responsibili es.
Speaking recently in Ikere-Eki , Olanipekun urged Nigerians to embrace humanity and loyalty, warning against inhumanity, disloyalty, and
internal sabotage.
“You cannot plant war against your country and expect peace,” he said. He stressed that cizens must act to strengthen the na on and stop internal conflicts, no ng that external intervenon is unnecessary if Nigerians uphold unity and discipline.
The legal luminary called on the government to name culprits and act decisively, adding that love, kindness, and patrio sm are key to solving the country’s lingering problems.
•Olanipekun
Kazeem Badmus
Francis Adekunle, Ado-Ekiti
•Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, flanked by his chiefs, receiving Aregbesola and his team on a homage to his palace, yesterday
The whole na on breathed a collec ve sigh of relief with the release of the young ladies freed from cap vity in Kebbi State.
That relief is real — and deserved. Yet relief must not become complacency. The circumstances of their return read like a scene from a movie: no ransom exchanged, no shots fired, and a happy ending.
That makes the triumph sweeter, but it also raises urgent ques ons about what really happened and what must change to prevent a repeat.
We are not out of the woods. Historically, insecurity worsens with the end of the rainy season; this year is unlikely to be different. Voices and sugges ons are pouring in. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, among others, has proposed measures such as raising re-
“We must turn gratitude into action: strengthen institutions, reallocate resources, demand transparency and close the financial and operational gaps that allow terror to thrive”
Our Girls Are Back — What Next?
rement ages for military officers, se ng up special military tribunals, and increasing boots on the ground.
Some ideas merit serious considera on; others carry risks that must be weighed carefully. For instance, altering re rement rules to recall officers will create commandand-service complica ons and should not be adopted rashly.
That said, there is growing consensus on two unavoidable facts. First, we need more personnel where it ma ers — the police, the armed forces, and civil defence all need strengthening.
Second, this requires fiscal rebalancing. The failure to implement prior reform recommenda ons — and the prolifera on of agencies that divert scarce capital — le our secu-
rity sector under-resourced.
Had we redirected savings into defence and intelligence years ago, our security landscape would be very different today.
Immediate, prac cal steps we should ins tu onalise:
•Create a Cobra-style naonal security forum that meets weekly. The President and security chiefs should receive concise updates, review the past week’s developments and plan for the coming week. This must be a permanent, disciplined procedure, not ad hoc theatre.
•Make the present command centre the opera onal hub: fully staffed, empowered to call in Nigerian and expatriate experts, and equipped to coordinate intelligence, logiscs and rapid response.
•End security briefings
The Discourse
staged as press theatre. When lives are at stake, clarity and professionalism ma er more than op cs.
•Acknowledge the reality of asymmetric warfare. Our response must be analy cal, surgical and adap ve — not limited to conven onal tac cs. Train and equip special forces that can operate in complex terrains and under ambiguous rules of engagement.
•Conduct an independent forensic audit of the Safe Schools Ini a ve funds and other relevant security-related expenditures. The audit and its findings must be public. Transparency builds trust and exposes leakages that empower terror.
•Follow the money: Terrorism and its financing are inseparable. The government must use every lawful tool — intelligence, financial forensics and technology — to trace and choke off funding streams.
The joyous return of the girls is both a relief and a reminder. Relief for the day — responsibility for the future.
We must turn gra tude into ac on: strengthen ins tu ons, reallocate resources, demand transparency and close the financial and opera onal gaps that allow terror to thrive. Only then will the phrase “they are back” stop being an excep on and become the rule.
Ransom And Rescue: The Truth We Are Not Being Told
TBy Salihu Tanko Yakasai
HE Kebbi and Kwara kidnapping incidents reveal a painful truth. Behind the official rescue statements lies a cycle of nego a ons, payments, and denials. Un l we confront this openly, Arewa will con nue to carry the heaviest burden.
I was genuinely relieved when news broke that the 25 girls abducted in Kebbi State had been “rescued” yesterday Tuesday, 25 November. It felt like a small victory, coming just days a er the Eruku church members in Eki LGA of Kwara State were also declared “rescued.” The president quickly issued statements, backed by a full chorus from the Presidency’s media team and supporters.
But my relief didn’t survive the day.
Soon a er, the bandits who kidnapped the Kebbi girls released their own video. The girls sat with them, and the abductors openly mocked the official narra ve. “Karfi bai anshe ku ba,” they said, meaning force did not free you. They pressed the girls: “Gwamna ta kasa ansar ku ko?” which meant that the government couldn’t rescue you, and the girls replied yes.
“As long as ransom remains the path of least resistance, these kidnappings will only escalate, Kano State which has largely been spared, is also becoming a go-to destination for the kidnappers It also begs an uncomfortable possibility”
The bandits even men oned nego a ons with “manyan mutane,” dismissing any claim that security opera ons led to their release.
It immediately reminded me of Bayo Onanuga’s comment on Arise TV same day, about the Kwara case. He said: “Security agencies reached out to the kidnappers and demanded the release of the vicms, and they complied.” That was the moment my excitement dissolved. Between the Kebbi video and Bayo’s explana on, the truth is hard to ignore: ransom was paid. Bandits do not release cap ves out of goodwill, and no terrorist group simply “complies” with polite re-
quests.
This raises a harder ques on: What exactly separates the negoa ons done openly by local officials in Zamfara and Katsina from what the federal government just did quietly? The difference now seems cosme c. While local officials were caught on camera; the federal government operated off-camera. The outcome is the same though, enormous sums flowing to terrorists!
And as long as ransom remains
OSUN DEFENDER
Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.
the path of least resistance, these kidnappings will only escalate, Kano State which has largely been spared, is also becoming a go-to des na on for the kidnappers It also begs an uncomfortable possibility: are our government, both state and federal, as well as the security forces unable to prevent these a acks, or conduct effec ve rescue opera ons when they happen, making ransom the only viable op on? Because every ransom paid today funds the next a ack tomorrow, while steadily weakening our government and security ins tuons.
Asst. News Editor – Yusuf Oketola
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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
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All correspondence to the above email addresses.
Whatever the case, one thing is certain. This crisis is far from over. Nigerians, especially in Arewa, must brace ourselves for a long road ahead, because the current strategy is not breaking the cycle. It is feeding it!
A na on that keeps buying back its own ci zens is not winning the war. It is slowly losing itself!
Allah shi kare mu, amin!
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2025 VOL. 20 NO 64 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
WHEN Rauf Aregbesola, former governor of Osun State and one me Minister of the Interior, formally aligned himself with the African Democra c Congress (ADC) and declared bold ambi ons for the 2027 elec ons, many in Osun and beyond sat up to take no ce. His move — from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the party that groomed much of his poli cal rise, into an opposi on party — marks more than a change of label. It carries serious consequences for Osun’s poli cal terrain as we approach another watershed elec on cycle.
Aregbesola’s departure from APC is both symbolic and strategic. On one hand, it reflects dissa sfac on with the current leadership and a belief that APC’s appeal may be eroding, especially among voters who feel le behind. He has been vocally cri cal of APC’s perceived failures in governance. ADC, under his stewardship as Na onal Secretary, now presents itself as an alterna ve — challenging entrenched loyal es not just in Osun, but in Lagos, Abuja, and other strongholds of APC. Cri cs in APC have dismissed his ambi ons as “empty boasts,” accusing him of poli cal suicide by a acking the pla orm that elevated him.
For Osun State in par cular, the shi opens several possible outcomes. First, it could deepen polical fragmenta on. Aregbesola commands considerable respect among certain cons tuencies — especially those who supported his governance style in his two terms. If he successfully mobilises these loyal es under ADC, Osun could see a more viable threeway contest, rather than the usual APC vs PDP duel. This may force all par es to sharpen their message, reevaluate campaign strategies, and more closely address grassroots concerns such as infrastructure decay, unemployment, and youth marginaliza on.
Second, there is the risk that the change splits the vote. ADC’s rise could siphon off a chunk of APC’s support base, par cularly among those who feel disillusioned with APC’s performance. But unless ADC strengthens its ground structures, secures credible local leadership, and assembles a convincing pla orm of governance, this fragmenta on may favour rival pares. In elec ons, fragmented opposion o en advantages incumbents or
“Aregbesola’s strategic shift from APC to ADC is a gamble — one rooted in the conviction that his political capital remains strong and that voters crave alternatives. For Osun, the outcome may reshape the state’s political balance”
PERSPECTIVE
By
MATT OLU OLOWOKERE
From APC To ADC: Aregbesola’s Strategic Shift And Its Implications For Osun Politics
par es with entrenched systems.
Third, Aregbesola’s shi may push the APC to reexamine internal cohesion. Already, there are murmurs of discontent in Osun’s APC fac ons, especially among those aligned with Aregbesola’s earlier poli cal footprint. How APC reconciles internal di-
WE, The People…” is how the cons tu on always begins; going forwards to itemise how society is to be organised and governed for the a ainment of security of lives and property above all, then freedom and prosperity for all ci zens. The most fundamental ques on in that document is the FORM of that governance structure, and whereas the buck of responsibility stops on the table of the man holding the highest office in land, it is clear that the most essen al responsibility lies with the majority of the ci zens – WE, THE PEOPLE.
In the case of Nigeria, “we, the people” clearly stated at the very crea on of Nigeria that our form of government will be that of Federalism: a voluntary, united federa on of autonomous regions, taking into considera on our diversi es as African peoples living in the Niger Area. Since the incursion of the military in January 1966, and over the course of their lengthy, destruc ve stay, and inescapably due to their unitary chain of command, a centralised, unitary system of government has been imposed upon the country. Each cons tu on supervised by them and wri en at the beginning of every return to civil rule by their cronies con nue to state the truth of the founding ideal, “we, the people… in the Federal Republic of Nigeria” while living a lie as an over-centralised unitary state.
visions, presents credible candidates for 2026 in Osun, and retains party loyalists will be vital.
Moreover, ADC’s new momentum under Aregbesola will test the electorate’s appe te for change. Will Osun voters respond to rhetoric of “new alterna ve” or will they demand con-
crete promises — road projects, educa on, healthcare, jobs — as barometers of sincerity? The track record of the ADC in byelec ons and smaller contests is limited. Convincing voters that ADC can deliver, not just oppose, will be a steep task.
Finally, there is the ques on of naonal posi oning. Aregbesola’s vocal claims that ADC “will take over” Aso Rock and Lagos in 2027 suggest ambi ons beyond Osun. Whether these ambi ons are realis c or hyperbole, they will define how he and his party are seen — either as bold changemakers or overreaching rebels.
For Osun, this means local campaigns may become intertwined with na onal narra ves: iden ty poli cs, performance metrics, and regional interests will compete more sharply for voter a en on.
What does this mean for the ordinary Osun ci zen? It could mean more poli cal a en on, be er infrastructure promises, renewed campaigning. But it could also mean uncertainty — shi ing allegiances, campaign noise, possible divisions. For poli cs to serve the people, ADC must move beyond speeches, engage in grassroots delivery, and forge alliances that respect Osun’s history and expecta ons.
Aregbesola’s strategic shi from APC to ADC is a gamble — one rooted in the convic on that his poli cal capital remains strong and that voters crave alterna ves. For Osun, the outcome may reshape the state’s polical balance.
As the 2026, then 2027 elec ons draw near, every move, every local candidate, every campaign will be watched closely. The “switch” is complete; now, the proof will be in what ADC delivers — not just in what Aregbesola promises.
We Can Make It Work
To worsen a very bad status, our unimagina ve and indolent ruling elite became completely dependent for their extravagant living on oil money receipt from crude sales, consequently killing all forms of crea vity, produc vity and industry over a few decades, making polics the most lucra ve business from sure access to oil money flowing into the federa on accounts. All other professions and sector of life and the economy come under the mercy of poli cs as poverty and ignorance becomes prevalent.
With the civilian poli cal elites’ refusal to revisit the issue of form of government on account of the benefits they reap from the present unitarised system of oil money control and sharing at na onal and state levels, the struggle amongst them to be in charge of the accruals from the federa on alloca on accounts, as presidents and governors (and their hangers-on legislatures) has taken the nas est turn ever, as the country sinks into its most nightmarish level of insecurity, poverty and aliena on, which they care less about. Nothing is spared as tools of poli cal manoeuvre to be in charge of oil money control: banditry, terrorism, religion, bullion vans, ethnicity, thuggery, corrup on of the judiciary
and jus ce system, lack of internal party democracy, nepo sm, et cetera.
Firstly, when democracy becomes as such perverted and useless as a system of delivering security of lives and property, freedom, jus ce and prosperity, democracy s ll remains the most effec ve and efficient means of seeking remedy; all other means lead to violent conflicts and no guaranteed just end.
Secondly, when ignorance, poverty and primordial sen ments like tribe and religion become the dominant reali es of society, even the basic assump on of majority rule is undermined when the majority are poor, ignorant, primi vely sen mental and consequently disposed to irra onality in their choices.
Accordingly, we are returned to where the founding fathers started, and must work back to “we, the people” in order to achieve our historic des ny. Therefore, it is clearly the me NOW for patriots across all religion, tribe, and poli cal divides, to unite around the founding fathers ideal of a federal republic, and do what needed to be done to return Nigeria to it, outside of but not ignoring current democra c, local and interna onal poli cal reali es. That remains Nigeria’s only saving grace.
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