A former secretary of the APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen, Mr Ayoola Lawal, has cautioned that Nigeria could undermine its sovereignty if it yields to negotiations with kidnappers and armed groups.
Lawal, who previously served as APC chairman in the Scandinavian countries, said in a statement on Monday that the country must resist emotional pressure in responding to the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State.
He referenced the recent attack on schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities in Oyo, where 39 pupils and seven teachers were abducted by gunmen.
The attackers reportedly demanded the release of detained militant leaders, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles, and the implementation of certain ideological and legal conditions.
Lawal warned that conceding to such demands could embolden criminal networks and create long-term security risks.
According to him, history shows that states which free convicted extremist leaders or make concessions under duress often face recurring and more severe security threats.
He stressed that while the government must prioritise the safe return of abducted victims, it must also avoid actions that could weaken national authority.
Lawal added that the crisis goes beyond a kidnapping incident, describing it as a test of state power, the rule of law, and the credibility of governance in Nigeria.
He noted that similar tactics have been used by armed groups in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, and parts of the Sahel, where hostage-taking is often used to gain political leverage and visibility.
He further argued that every concession to abductors risks encouraging future attacks and strengthening criminal organisations.
The diaspora chieftain said the incident underscores the need for Nigeria to treat hostage recovery as a strategic national priority through a coordinated multi-agency framework involving intelligence, security forces, cyber experts, and crisis negotiators.
He also called for stronger protection of schools, especially in rural areas, through improved security systems, early warning mechanisms, and community-based intelligence support.
Lawal emphasised the need to dismantle the financial and logistical networks that support kidnapping operations, noting that such groups rely on wider networks beyond the immediate perpetrators.
He urged citizens to support security agencies with credible information rather than rely solely on criticism, and called for stronger international cooperation to tackle cross-border terrorism financing and arms trafficking.
The statement concluded with a call for sustained collaboration between Nigeria and global partners to address evolving security threats.