The actor made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page following the release of 46 pupils and teachers who were kidnapped from a school in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The victims regained their freedom on Friday after spending 56 days in captivity, their release brought relief to families, residents, and many Nigerians who had followed the incident closely since the abduction took place.
Reacting to comments made by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde regarding the kidnapping, Branch expressed concern over attempts to link the incident to politics, he said public officials and political actors should focus on the welfare of the affected children rather than making statements that could create further controversy.
According to the actor, children are already facing many challenges in the country, including difficulties within the education sector, he stressed that schoolchildren should not become victims of political disagreements or be used as part of political narratives.
Branch stated that the children who spent nearly two months in captivity would likely require emotional and psychological support to recover from the experience, he noted that such traumatic events can have lasting effects on young people and should be treated with seriousness and compassion.
“I just want to make an appeal and beg us in this country. I’m not directing this to anybody but I’m begging all of us that whatever dirty politics that we’re all playing, can we just leave the innocent children out of it. The children in this country are suffering enough, they are suffering enough," he said.
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