Tinubu Assures Kidnapped Schoolchildren Are Not Forgotten

President Bola Tinubu has ordered intensified security operations to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in parts of Oyo and Borno states, assuring families that the government has not abandoned the victims. He said rescue efforts would be intelligence-driven and focused on safe recovery, while also strengthening the Safe Schools framework nationwide. The move follows recent attacks in Oyo State where dozens of students and teachers were kidnapped during a school raid.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has pledged a stronger and more coordinated national security response aimed at securing the release of schoolchildren and teachers who have been abducted in different parts of the country, particularly in Oyo and Borno states. He assured Nigerians that the federal government remains fully committed to rescuing the victims and ensuring their safe return to their families.
In a statement delivered during his Children’s Day address on Wednesday, Tinubu acknowledged the distress faced by parents and communities whose children and teachers are currently being held captive by armed groups. He emphasized that the government has not abandoned the victims and is actively working to bring them home safely.
Addressing the nation, the president said, “Some Nigerian children and their teachers in Oyo and Borno states should be with their families but are being held captive by criminals,” adding that as both a father and president, he understands the pain of the affected families and reassured them that the victims are not forgotten.
Tinubu explained that the government’s approach to rescue operations would go beyond public statements, stressing that efforts would be intensified and guided by intelligence. According to him, military and security operations are being structured to ensure that responses are carefully coordinated, strategic, and focused primarily on the safe recovery of abducted persons rather than indiscriminate force.
He directed security agencies to strengthen nationwide rescue operations and improve collaboration across all levels of government. The president also announced that additional measures would be introduced to enhance safety in schools, especially in high-risk and vulnerable areas.
These measures include updated vulnerability assessments for schools, improved coordination between state governments and security agencies, and the strengthening of emergency response systems. The Federal Ministry of Education has been instructed to work closely with state authorities to fully implement the Safe Schools framework, ensuring that reporting procedures are clearer and response times are faster in cases of emergencies.
Tinubu stressed the importance of preparedness at the school level, stating that every school in vulnerable regions must have clear instructions on whom to contact, what steps to take, and how to protect students in the event of a threat or attack.
Beyond rescue operations, the president also highlighted the need for proper rehabilitation and reintegration of rescued victims. He said that children and teachers who return from captivity must be given access to medical care, counselling services, education, and psychosocial support to help them recover from trauma and reintegrate into society with dignity.
He further called on all sectors of society, including parents, religious leaders, community heads, vigilante groups, transport unions, and the media, to take an active role in safeguarding children. According to him, security is a shared responsibility that requires vigilance from everyone, especially in communities where schools are located.
Warning against silence in the face of suspicious activity, Tinubu stated that failure to report unusual movements around schools could put children at serious risk. He stressed that prevention must come before attacks occur, not only after tragedies have already taken place.
The president reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to improving child welfare across Nigeria through investments in education, healthcare, nutrition, social protection, and digital skills development. He said the goal is to build a country where every child can learn safely, grow in good health, and pursue opportunities without fear.
Earlier reports indicated that gunmen abducted at least 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Oyo State during an attack on May 18 in the Ahoro Esinele community in the Oriire district. The attackers targeted multiple schools, including a secondary school and two primary schools, resulting in chaos and fear within the community.
During a rescue attempt involving soldiers, police, and local vigilantes, security forces encountered improvised explosive devices planted by the attackers, which led to injuries among operatives and disrupted the operation. One teacher was reportedly killed while in captivity, and several security personnel were wounded.
President Tinubu had previously condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric, and directed federal authorities to work closely with the Oyo State government to ensure the safe return of all abducted victims. Investigations and rescue efforts are still ongoing as authorities continue to track the whereabouts of the captives.