Asisat Oshoala Urges Government Action Over Abducted Schoolchildren and Teachers

Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala has called on both the Federal and state governments to intensify efforts to secure the release of students and teachers abducted during recent attacks on schools across Nigeria.

The appeal follows reports of kidnappings involving pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and three schools in Borno State, incidents that have reignited concerns over insecurity and the safety of educational institutions nationwide.

Oshoala, a six-time African Women’s Player of the Year, joined growing calls for urgent action to address the rising wave of abductions and strengthen Nigeria’s security framework against criminal groups operating across parts of the country.

The forward made the appeal on Friday after scoring from the penalty spot in Nigeria’s 2-1 victory over Senegal Women’s National Football Team in an international friendly at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne, Ogun state.

Using the occasion to draw attention to the issue, Oshoala urged authorities to take decisive measures to ensure the safe return of the abducted students and teachers.

Her comments come amid ongoing peaceful protests in several parts of the country, with citizens demanding the immediate rescue of those still being held captive.

The latest incidents have drawn comparisons with the widely publicised abductions in Chibok and Dapchi, which attracted international attention and underscored the vulnerability of schools in conflict-affected regions.

Security experts and civil society organisations have continued to advocate for stronger preventive measures, improved intelligence gathering, and enhanced protection for schools, stressing the need for long-term solutions to safeguard students and educators across the country.

Oshoala’s intervention adds the voice of one of Nigeria’s most prominent sporting figures to the growing demand for urgent action to address school insecurity and protect the nation’s children.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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