President Bola Tinubu has assured abducted Nigerian children and their families that the Federal Government is intensifying rescue efforts to secure their safe return.
Tinubu gave the assurance in a Children’s Day message signed on Wednesday, saying the government remains committed to rescuing kidnapped children and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The president said Nigerian children remain the pride and future of the country, stressing the need to protect them through quality education, improved security and inclusive development.
Speaking on the 2026 Children’s Day theme, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” Tinubu said no child should be left behind.
He, however, expressed concern over children and teachers still being held captive in Oyo and Borno states.
“As we mark this special day, which coincides with Eid-el-Kabir, some Nigerian children and their teachers in Oyo and Borno should be with their families, but are being held captive by criminals,” the president said.
“Some children have been forced into fear. Some parents cannot join today’s celebration because their hearts are set on one prayer: ‘Bring our children home.’”
Tinubu assured affected families that the Federal Government would not abandon abducted children or slow down rescue operations.
“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.
The president disclosed that he had directed security agencies to intensify coordinated rescue missions across the country.
According to him, the operations will remain intelligence-driven to ensure the safe recovery of abducted victims.
Tinubu also ordered stronger protection for schools in vulnerable communities.
He said the government would improve school vulnerability mapping, strengthen collaboration between state governments and security agencies, and establish rapid response systems for schools.
The president added that community-based early warning systems would also be expanded to prevent attacks and abductions.
Tinubu said the Federal Ministry of Education and state governments had been directed to deepen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework.
He stressed that children rescued from captivity must receive rehabilitation, counselling, medical care and support to help them reintegrate into society.
“Rescue is not the end of the government’s duty. A child who returns from trauma must return to care, medical attention, counselling, education and dignity,” he said.
The president also called on parents, teachers, religious leaders, traditional rulers and community members to support efforts aimed at protecting Nigerian children from violence and insecurity.
Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in education, healthcare, nutrition, digital skills and social protection programmes for children across the country.
Recall that suspected gunmen had stormed the Oriire local council, attacking the Ahoro-Esinele Community High School killing a teacher and a motorcyclist before abducting several others.
They advanced to Yahoro Baptist Nursery and Primary school and L.A Primary school where they abducted several pupils and their teachers.