On the occassion of the 2026 children’s day, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to secure the immediate and safe rescue of Nigerian children and teachers currently held in captivity by criminals in Borno and Oyo states.
In a statement issued yesterday, a day that coincided with the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, President Tinubu addressed the families of the abducted victims, asserting that his administration refuses to let their painful ordeal become mere background noise.
“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. We will continue to work until children taken from their homes, schools and communities are returned safely, and until those who profit from this cruelty are brought to justice,” President Tinubu declared.
Driven by the urgency of rescuing the students and teachers from Borno and Oyo, President Tinubu ordered an immediate escalation of tactical efforts on the ground.
“I have directed all relevant security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated rescue operations for abducted children and other vulnerable citizens across the country. These operations must be intelligence-led, carefully executed and focused on the safe recovery of our children.”
“I have also directed the strengthening of school protection measures in high-risk areas. This will include updated school vulnerability mapping, closer coordination between state governments and security commands, rapid response links between schools and local security units, and stronger community-based early warning systems,” the President declared.
Aligning the rescue efforts with the structural safety of educational institutions, President Tinubu directed the Federal Ministry of Education and state governments to aggressively implement the Safe Schools framework.
The President further insisted on clear reporting, defined responsibilities, and strict timelines, stating that every school in a vulnerable area must know exactly what to do, where to move, and who to call the moment danger is identified.
Emphasizing that the government’s responsibility does not end when a captive is freed, President Tinubu vowed that the rescued students and teachers will not be met with temporary attention, but with sustained, long-term care.
“A child who returns from trauma must return to care, medical attention, counselling, education and dignity,” the President stated, confirming that relevant ministries have been ordered to manage proper reintegration support.
While vowing that the government will spearhead these operations, President Tinubu called on local communities to break their silence and actively collaborate with security agencies to prevent future tragedies.
“When a community sees strange movement around a school and keeps quiet, a child is placed at risk. The fight to protect children must begin before an attack happens, not after one has already occurred,” the President warned.
Reiterating his commitment to a nation where every child can learn without fear, the President concluded that investments in education, healthcare, nutrition, and safety are fundamental rights belonging to every single Nigerian child.
