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President Bola Tinubu has directed the strengthening of school protection measures in high-risk areas following a wave of mass abductions of students and teachers in Oyo and Borno states.
Tinubu also mandated that 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 be put in place.
“I have also directed the strengthening of school protection measures in high-risk areas,” Tinubu said in a statement on Wednesday marking Children’s Day, which coincides with Eid-el-Kabir.
“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 also ordered the Federal Ministry of Education, working with state governments, to deepen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework “with clear reporting, clear responsibility and clear timelines.”
“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 said he has directed all relevant security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated rescue operations for abducted children across the country.
“These operations must be intelligence-led, carefully executed and focused on the safe recovery of our children,” he said.
Addressing families of victims, Tinubu said, “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.”
On May 15, armed gunmen raided three schools in Oyo State, abducting about 39 students and seven teachers. One of the victims, mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded.
In Borno State, 42 students and children were abducted from a school in Askira-Uba Local Government Area on the same day.
Tinubu also ordered that recovered children receive reintegration support including medical attention, counselling and education.
“A child who returns from trauma must return to care, medical attention, counselling, education and dignity.
“I have directed the relevant ministries and agencies to ensure that recovered children receive proper reintegration support, not temporary attention.”
STATEHOUSE STATEMENT
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S STATEMENT ON CHILDREN’S DAY AND OUR CHILDREN IN CAPTIVITY
On this Children’s Day, I celebrate every Nigerian child. I celebrate the child who is excelling in school. I celebrate the child who is learning a trade. I celebrate the child…
— Daddy D.O🇳🇬 (@DOlusegun) May 27, 2026
