By Bukola Hameed
Public affairs commentator Reno Omokri has condemned the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, describing the incident as a painful reminder of Nigeria’s unresolved internal security challenges.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Omokri expressed grief over the killing of the school’s vice principal and extended condolences to the bereaved family, as well as prayers for the safe return of the abducted students.
He urged the government to take every necessary measure to rescue the victims and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
Omokri noted that while school abductions have declined compared to previous years – citing the 881 schoolchildren kidnapped between May 29, 2015, and May 29, 2023 – Nigeria’s security forces remain overstretched given the country’s vast population and landmass. With fewer than half a million soldiers and police officers serving more than 235 million citizens, he argued that the current structure is inadequate to tackle emerging threats.
He emphasized that sustainable solutions must move beyond condemnation and reactive measures. According to him, the introduction of State and Community Police is now necessary to strengthen grassroots security and decentralize policing.
“One centrally controlled police force with a command structure in Abuja may no longer be sufficient to address Nigeria’s security issues,” he stated, adding that a state-controlled police unit in Kebbi could potentially have prevented the latest abduction.
Omokri commended what he described as “much progress” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but called on the President to champion the creation of State Police to drastically improve nationwide security. He argued that with the recent increase in federal allocations to states, governors are now financially capable of supporting such a structure.
“Mr President, please give Nigeria State and Community Police,” he appealed.