The  former Secretary of the APC Committee of Diaspora Chairmen, Mr. Ayoola Lawal, has cautioned the Federal Government against negotiating with kidnappers and bandits, warning that such concessions could undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty and embolden criminal groups.

Lawal, who also served as Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Scandinavian countries, said Nigeria must resist pressure to accede to the demands of those responsible for the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State.

We can  recall that gunmen attacked schools in the Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities of Oyo on May 15, abducting 39 pupils and seven teachers.

The kidnappers have reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles and implementation of Sharia-related laws as conditions for the victims’ release.

In a statement issued on Monday, Lawal said yielding to such demands could have far-reaching consequences for national security.

“History has shown that governments which release hardened terrorist leaders or concede to political demands under duress often face even greater security threats in the future,” he said.

“What may appear to be a short-term solution can quickly develop into a long-term national security challenge.”

He stressed that while efforts to secure the safe return of the hostages should remain a priority, Nigeria must demonstrate its commitment to protecting citizens without compromising its authority as a sovereign state.

“The struggle is not only about securing the freedom of the hostages. It is also about preserving the credibility of the Nigerian state, safeguarding the future of education and upholding the principle that democratic societies cannot be governed through violence and intimidation,” Lawal said.

According to him, the use of hostage-taking as a tool for coercion is a global challenge that has been witnessed in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia, as well as across the wider Sahel region.

“Extremist and criminal organisations have repeatedly discovered that hostage-taking generates fear, publicity and political leverage far beyond their actual strength.

“Every successful act of coercion becomes a recruitment tool, while every concession risks encouraging future attacks,” he added.

Lawal described the abduction as more than a criminal incident, saying it represented a direct challenge to Nigeria’s national security architecture, the rule of law and the authority of government.

“The recent abduction of schoolchildren is a direct assault on state authority, democratic governance and the future of education itself.

“When armed groups demand the release of terrorist leaders, financial rewards, operational resources and ideological concessions in exchange for innocent children, their objectives go beyond profit-making.

“Such demands are intended to demonstrate that violence can influence government decisions, erode public confidence and weaken democratic institutions,” he said.

He noted that although the desire to secure the immediate release of the children was understandable, governments must distinguish between actions that save lives and concessions that strengthen criminal elements.

Lawal called on the government to elevate hostage recovery operations to a national strategic priority through the establishment of a permanent multi-agency framework.

According to him, such a structure should integrate intelligence agencies, law enforcement bodies, military special operations units, cyber experts, financial investigators and professional crisis negotiators.

“Successful hostage recovery operations around the world depend less on brute force and more on superior intelligence gathering, coordination and planning,” he said.

He also urged authorities to strengthen security around schools, particularly in rural communities, through improved infrastructure, emergency communication systems, community intelligence networks and rapid-response mechanisms.

Lawal further advocated intensified efforts to dismantle the financial and logistical networks that sustain criminal and extremist groups.

“Kidnappers do not operate in isolation. Behind every armed gang is a network of financiers, informants, suppliers, transporters and collaborators.

“Disrupting these support systems is often more effective than focusing solely on the perpetrators,” he stated.

He appealed to Nigerians to support security agencies through information sharing and community cooperation in the fight against terrorism and other forms of criminality.

Lawal also called for stronger international collaboration, noting that terrorist financing, illicit arms trafficking and transnational criminal networks transcend national boundaries.

“Nigeria’s partnerships with regional and international organisations must continue to deepen because security threats that cross borders require coordinated global responses,” he said.