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President Bola Tinubu has said protecting Nigerian children cannot be left to the government alone, calling on communities to take active responsibility as outrage mounts over a wave of mass school kidnappings.
“Let me also state that protecting children cannot be left solely to the government,” Tinubu said in a statement Wednesday marking Children’s Day, which coincided with the Eid-el-Kabir holiday.
“Parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, youth groups, transport unions, local vigilantes and the media all have a role to play.
“When a community sees strange movement around a school and keeps quiet, a child is placed at risk. When warning signs are ignored, families suffer. When information is shared quickly and responsibly, lives can be saved.”
The president spoke after a wave of mass abductions that had sparked national anger. On May 15, armed gunmen raided three schools in southwestern Oyo State, taking about 39 students and seven teachers. One of the hostages, mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded.
The same day, 42 students and children were abducted from a school in Askira-Uba in northeastern Borno State.
Tinubu ordered the strengthening of school protection in high-risk areas, including rapid-response links between schools and local security units and stronger community-based early warning systems.
He also directed security agencies to intensify rescue operations, saying, “You are not forgotten. You are not abandoned.”
The president added that recovered children must receive medical care, counselling and education.
“Rescue is not the end of the government’s duty. A child who returns from trauma must return to care.”
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
