President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify rescue operations for abducted children in Oyo and Borno states, as Nigeria marked Children’s Day alongside the Eid-el-Kabir celebration on Wednesday.
Tinubu on Wednesday, 27 May, in a statement on X, expressed concern over the plight of children and teachers still being held by kidnappers. He said some families could not celebrate because they were focused on the safe return of their loved ones.
He assured affected families that the Federal Government had not abandoned them and promised continued action to secure the release of the victims and punish those behind the attacks.
“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,” he stated.
Tinubu said he had instructed all relevant security agencies to sustain and strengthen coordinated rescue efforts across the country. He maintained that the operations must rely on intelligence gathering and careful planning, with priority placed on the safe recovery of abducted children and other vulnerable citizens.
He also announced fresh measures to improve security around schools, especially in areas considered vulnerable to attacks. He said the government would update school vulnerability mapping, improve cooperation between state governments and security agencies, and establish stronger rapid-response communication channels between schools and local security units.
Tinubu noted that “community-based early warning systems” would also be strengthened to help prevent attacks before they occur.
He directed the Federal Ministry of Education to work closely with state governments to expand the implementation of the Safe Schools framework. He explained that schools in high-risk communities must have clear safety procedures and direct emergency contacts in the event of threats or attacks.
“Every school in a vulnerable area must know who to call, what to do, where to move, and how to protect children when danger is identified,” he said.
Tinubu also said the government would improve support for children who return from abduction, violence and displacement. He noted that many rescued children often face emotional trauma and disruption to their education after returning home.
He said that government support must go beyond public attention immediately after a rescue. He said affected children should receive medical care, counselling, education support and proper reintegration into society.
Tinubu also called on parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, transport unions, local vigilantes and the media to support efforts to protect children.
He warned that communities must not ignore suspicious movements or security warnings around schools, stressing that timely sharing of information could save lives.
“The fight to protect children must begin before an attack happens, not after one has already occurred,” he stated.
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