Mary Njoku condemns public silence over abducted Oyo schoolchildren

Nollywood actress and filmmaker Mary Njoku has expressed concern over what she described as growing public indifference to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, particularly the abduction of more than 40 students and teachers in Oyo State.

In a statement shared on her social media platforms on Tuesday, Njoku questioned the level of national outrage surrounding the victims, who were reportedly kidnapped from a school in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15 and remain in captivity weeks after the incident.

The actress lamented what she described as a muted public response to a tragedy involving schoolchildren and educators, arguing that such an incident should have sparked widespread protests and sustained national attention.

“Over 40 children and teachers were taken from their school in Oyo State a month ago. Where is the outrage? Where are the protests?” she wrote.

Njoku said the frequent occurrence of kidnappings and violent attacks across the country appears to have desensitized many Nigerians, warning against treating the abduction of children as a routine security incident.

According to her, the country risks normalising a crisis that should be regarded as a national emergency.

The actress also noted that public attention often shifts quickly to entertainment and political controversies while serious security issues affecting lives and communities receive limited sustained engagement.

Her comments come amid continued efforts by security agencies to secure the release of the abducted victims. Authorities in Oyo State have maintained that security operatives are working to locate the children and their teachers, although details of ongoing rescue operations remain limited.

The abduction has drawn concern from civil society groups, human rights advocates and public figures who have called for stronger action to address the growing threat of mass kidnappings across the country.

Security analysts have warned that the increasing frequency of such incidents has contributed to what they describe as “crisis fatigue,” where repeated exposure to insecurity reduces public reaction and diminishes pressure on authorities to deliver swift solutions.

Njoku urged Nigerians not to become indifferent to the plight of the victims and their families, stressing that the safety of children should remain a priority for both government and citizens.

Her remarks add to growing calls for intensified efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and improve security around schools and vulnerable communities across the country.