Stephen Osemwegie, President and Founder of the Save Nigeria Group USA, has disclosed that his organization sought the support of United States officials in response to the Oyo kidnapping case, requesting assistance that could help Nigerian authorities locate abducted children and secure their safe release.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Osemwegie said the issue was raised during engagements with American policymakers as part of broader discussions on security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. According to the interview, which was posted on the broadcaster’s official YouTube channel on Friday, July 24, 2026, the coalition used the opportunity to advocate for greater international collaboration in tackling security challenges in Nigeria.
Osemwegie explained that the Oyo kidnapping case formed part of the conversations his delegation held with U.S. officials. He said the coalition believed that advanced intelligence capabilities available to the United States could complement Nigeria’s efforts to locate the abducted children and facilitate their rescue.
According to him, the request specifically focused on obtaining support from U.S. Special Forces, with the expectation that their intelligence capabilities could help determine where the children were being held while assisting Nigerian authorities in ensuring their safe release.
Recalling the discussions, Osemwegie said the coalition emphasized the urgency of the situation and the importance of swift action to protect the victims.
“We also raised the issue of the Oyo kidnapping during our time in his office. We wanted U.S. Special Forces to help Nigeria identify where the children were being held in Oyo and secure their release. I am excited because, thankfully, those children are now back safely,” he said.
Osemwegie expressed relief over the eventual return of the abducted children, describing the development as welcome news despite the tragic consequences associated with the incident. While celebrating the children’s safe return, he acknowledged that the kidnapping had resulted in painful losses, underscoring the need for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
He argued that enhanced cooperation between Nigeria and its international partners could significantly improve the country’s response to security threats. According to him, closer partnerships would strengthen efforts to protect vulnerable communities and provide additional resources for addressing kidnapping and other forms of violent crime.
The Save Nigeria Group USA president stressed that his organization’s primary objective is to encourage practical security collaboration rather than pursue political interests. He maintained that security challenges require coordinated responses built on intelligence sharing, technical expertise, and operational support.
Osemwegie said greater intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States could improve the ability of security agencies to respond more effectively to incidents of kidnapping. He added that expanded training opportunities and technical assistance would further enhance the capacity of Nigerian security personnel to confront evolving security threats.
According to him, such collaboration should also extend to combating terrorism and other forms of insecurity affecting communities across the country. He noted that sustained international partnerships could provide valuable tools and expertise needed to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
Throughout the interview, Osemwegie emphasized that addressing insecurity requires practical cooperation among governments and security institutions. He said intelligence sharing and coordinated operations have become increasingly important in responding to complex security challenges that often extend beyond national borders.
He also reiterated that the coalition’s advocacy focuses on building constructive relationships capable of delivering tangible security outcomes rather than advancing partisan political objectives.
In his concluding remarks, Osemwegie reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to promoting stronger cooperation between Nigeria and the United States on security matters. He expressed optimism that continued collaboration, backed by intelligence sharing, training, and technical support, would contribute to improved public safety and better protection for communities facing persistent security threats.
According to Osemwegie, sustained partnerships between both countries have the potential to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to kidnapping, terrorism, and other security challenges while helping authorities better safeguard vulnerable populations.
His remarks came during a discussion on United States-Nigeria security cooperation, where he reflected on the coalition’s efforts to engage American officials on issues affecting Nigeria’s security landscape, including the Oyo kidnapping case.
During the interview, Osemwegie maintained that the successful return of the abducted children demonstrated the importance of sustained attention to security challenges and reinforced the need for continued collaboration among local and international partners in protecting lives and improving security outcomes.
