RismadarVoice Reporters
May 27, 2026
President Bola Tinubu has assured Nigerians that children abducted in parts of the country will not be forgotten, declaring that his administration remains committed to securing their safe return and strengthening protection for schools nationwide.
In a statement issued on Wednesday to mark the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, the President expressed concern over children and teachers currently held captive by criminals in parts of Oyo and Borno states.
Tinubu said some families could not fully participate in the Children’s Day celebration because of the pain and uncertainty surrounding the abductions.
“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,” the President stated.
He disclosed that he had directed all relevant security agencies to intensify intelligence-led rescue operations aimed at safely recovering abducted children and other vulnerable citizens across the country.
The President also ordered the strengthening of school protection measures in high-risk areas, including updated school vulnerability mapping, improved coordination between state governments and security agencies, rapid response mechanisms and stronger community-based early warning systems.
Tinubu further directed the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with state governments, to deepen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework with clear responsibilities and timelines for protecting schools in vulnerable communities.
According to him, government support for rescued children would extend beyond recovery operations to include medical care, counselling, reintegration support and access to education.
The President called on parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community groups and the media to work closely with security agencies in protecting children and reporting suspicious activities around schools.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to investing in education, healthcare, nutrition, social protection, digital skills and safer communities to ensure that every Nigerian child can grow and learn without fear.
The 2026 Children’s Day celebration is themed, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child.”
