Oriire Rescue Proves Criminals Can Be Defeated With Political Will, Says Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim

The presidential candidate of the Accord Party for the 2027 general election, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has praised Nigeria’s security agencies for the successful rescue of victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the operation as proof that criminal gangs can be defeated through sustained political support and strategic leadership.

The victims regained their freedom after spending about 50 days in captivity following a coordinated rescue operation by security forces.

In a statement issued at the weekend, Olawepo-Hashim said the operation underscored the capability of Nigeria’s armed forces and other security agencies to tackle insecurity when backed by clear political direction and unwavering commitment from the nation’s leadership.

He argued that the country’s security challenges were not a reflection of the incompetence of security personnel but rather the absence of consistent political will needed to drive decisive action.

“We have never doubted the ability of Nigeria’s Defence Forces to secure the country. What has often been lacking is clarity of purpose and unwavering political leadership,” he said.

The former presidential candidate recalled Nigeria’s successful peacekeeping interventions in Liberia and Sierra Leone, where the Nigerian military, under the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), played a pivotal role in ending prolonged conflicts and restoring stability.

According to him, the Oriire rescue should mark the beginning of a sustained nationwide offensive against kidnappers, bandits and other violent criminal groups operating across the country.

He called on the Federal Government to extend the same level of commitment demonstrated in the Oriire operation to other parts of the country where communities continue to face persistent attacks.

“The same determination that secured the freedom of the Oriire victims must now be deployed across every community where innocent Nigerians remain in captivity, including parts of Kwara, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau and Kebbi states. No family should be left to suffer when the state has the capacity to act,” he stated.

Olawepo-Hashim, who also serves as Co-Chair of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR), urged the Federal Government to provide stronger political backing and sustained strategic direction for security agencies. He also challenged security chiefs to intensify coordinated operations across the country until all kidnapped victims are rescued and criminal networks dismantled.

“Above all, we must now take the fight to all terrorists occupying different parts of our country through an integrated strategy aimed at bringing an end to the terrorist war on our land,” he added.

He commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) for what he described as their courage, professionalism and sacrifice, noting that the successful rescue had boosted public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.

Olawepo-Hashim also congratulated the rescued victims and their families, praying for their speedy physical, emotional and psychological recovery after their 50-day ordeal.