By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerian children and families that the Federal Government will intensify nationwide rescue operations for abducted schoolchildren and strengthen school security architecture, declaring that affected children are not forgotten and not abandoned, amid renewed concerns over kidnappings in parts of Oyo and Borno States.
Tinubu made the assurances via a statement issued on Wednesday, 27 May, 2026, to mark Children’s Day in Abuja,.
The President said the intervention became necessary following recent abductions of schoolchildren and teachers in some communities, noting that the celebration coincided with Eid-el-Kabir but was overshadowed by the captivity of vulnerable children.
He explained that security agencies had been directed to sustain and intensify coordinated operations to secure their release, while school protection frameworks were being reinforced through intelligence-led and community-supported mechanisms.
According to President Tinubu, Children’s Day remains a national reminder of both responsibility and hope, as he celebrated Nigerian children across all backgrounds, including those excelling academically, those learning trades, children living with disabilities, and those enduring hardship.
He described them as “the pride of our Republic, the custodians of tomorrow’s promise,” stressing that national development depends on the opportunities created for them today.
However, the President acknowledged the painful reality facing families whose children remain in captivity, particularly in parts of Oyo and Borno States, where some pupils and teachers were abducted by criminals. He said many parents were unable to celebrate due to uncertainty over the fate of their children, noting that their only prayer remains: “Bring our children home.”
“To those children, their parents, and their teachers, I say this as a father and your President: you are not forgotten. You are not abandoned,” Tinubu stated, adding that government efforts would not reduce their suffering to mere ceremony.
He further assured that all relevant security agencies had been ordered to intensify coordinated rescue operations nationwide, describing the approach as intelligence-led, carefully executed, and focused on safe recovery.
He also directed the strengthening of school protection measures in high-risk areas, including updated vulnerability mapping, improved coordination between state authorities and security commands, rapid response systems linking schools with local security units, and stronger community-based early warning structures.
The President instructed the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with state governments, to deepen implementation of the Safe Schools framework, insisting on “clear reporting, clear responsibility and clear timelines.”
He stressed that every vulnerable school must have defined emergency procedures, including response contacts, evacuation plans, and protective measures to activate when threats are identified.
Tinubu also emphasized post-rescue rehabilitation for victims of abduction and violence, stating that government responsibility extends beyond recovery operations.
“A child who returns from trauma must return to care, medical attention, counselling, education and dignity,” he said, directing relevant ministries and agencies to ensure full reintegration support for rescued children rather than temporary intervention.
While calling for broader societal participation in child protection, the President urged parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, youth groups, transport unions, local vigilante groups, and the media to take active roles in safeguarding schools.
He warned that ignoring suspicious movements around school environments increases vulnerability, adding that timely and responsible information sharing remains critical to saving lives.
He further noted that the fight against insecurity must begin before attacks occur, stressing that early prevention and community vigilance are essential to national child protection efforts.
Reaffirming his administration’s long-term vision, Tinubu said the government remains committed to building a Nigeria where every child can learn safely, grow in good health, access opportunity, and live without fear.
He said investments are being made in education, healthcare, nutrition, social protection, digital skills, and safer communities, insisting that “childhood must not be a privilege reserved for a few. It is the right of every Nigerian child.”
