President Bola Tinubu has assured the families of children abducted in various parts of Nigeria that the federal government is committed to intensifying efforts for their release and strengthening protection measures for schools in vulnerable communities. Speaking on Wednesday during the 2026 Children's Day celebration, President Tinubu emphasized that the plight of children abducted in Oyo and Borno states remains a top priority for his administration, reassuring affected families that the government will not abandon them.

The President highlighted that the Children's Day celebration, themed "Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child," serves as a poignant reminder of the government's solemn responsibility to foster opportunities and ensure the safety and security of all Nigerian children. He noted the somber reality that, on a day meant for celebration, coinciding with Eid-el-Kabir, some Nigerian children and their teachers in Oyo and Borno are being held captive by criminals, preventing their families from fully participating in the festivities. "Some parents cannot join today’s celebration because their hearts are set on one prayer: ‘Bring our children home," he stated.

These assurances come amidst heightened national concern over recent incidents of abductions targeting schoolchildren and teachers across northern and south-western Nigeria. In Borno State, reports indicate that suspected insurgents abducted several women, children, and teachers while they were traveling through communities affected by persistent insecurity in the North-east. This incident has rekindled deep-seated fears regarding the safety of civilians and particularly schoolchildren in conflict-prone regions where armed groups have carried out attacks for years.

Similarly, in Oyo State, authorities and residents have expressed significant alarm over a series of kidnappings targeting commuters, students, and residents in rural areas. Security agencies have since intensified efforts to rescue victims and apprehend the perpetrators. PREMIUM TIMES reported a specific incident where approximately 32 individuals were abducted from Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele; Primary School, Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, all located within the Oriire Local Government Area of the state. Tragically, one of the victims, a mathematics teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded while in captivity.

Nigeria has a distressing history of repeated abductions of schoolchildren over the past decade, predominantly in northern states, where armed groups have systematically targeted educational institutions and rural communities for ransom and intimidation. These incidents have consistently provoked national outrage and have spurred both the federal government and state authorities to implement the Safe Schools initiative, a framework designed to enhance school security and prevent future attacks on pupils and teachers.

In response to the current crisis, President Tinubu confirmed that he has issued directives to security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated, intelligence-driven rescue operations for abducted children and other vulnerable citizens throughout the country, with a primary focus on ensuring their safe recovery. Furthermore, the President has ordered a significant strengthening of school protection measures in high-risk areas. This includes improved vulnerability mapping, fostering closer collaboration between state governments and security agencies, and establishing more robust community-based early warning systems.

The Federal Ministry of Education, in conjunction with state governments, has also been instructed to deepen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework. Under this framework, schools situated in vulnerable areas are expected to develop clearer emergency response procedures, establish designated reporting channels, and improve coordination with local security units to ensure rapid and effective responses to threats.

Recognizing the long-term impact of such traumatic experiences, President Tinubu stated that the government would expand its support for children affected by abduction, violence, and displacement. He emphasized that children rescued from traumatic situations require more than just immediate recovery efforts, highlighting the critical need for comprehensive medical care, psychological counseling, continued education, and proper social reintegration. "A child who returns from trauma must return to care, medical attention, counselling, education and dignity," he asserted. Relevant ministries and agencies have been directed to ensure that recovered children receive sustained, long-term support rather than merely "temporary attention."

The President concluded by stressing that safeguarding children is a collective responsibility that extends beyond the government. He urged parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, transport unions, vigilantes, and the media to actively support efforts to protect schools and communities. He issued a stern warning against ignoring suspicious movements or early warning signs around schools, as such oversight could expose children to grave danger. "When information is shared quickly and responsibly, lives can be saved," he reiterated. President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration's unwavering commitment to improving education, healthcare, nutrition, social protection, and digital skills development for children across Nigeria, asserting that every Nigerian child deserves the fundamental right to grow, learn, and dream in safety, irrespective of their background or circumstances.