Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has pledged intensified national security operations to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers, assuring affected families that the government remains committed to bringing them home safely.

Speaking on Wednesday, Tinubu said children and educators currently held captive in parts of Oyo and Borno states had not been abandoned by the government.

“Some Nigerian children and their teachers in Oyo and Borno states should be with their families but are being held captive by criminals,” Tinubu said in his Children's Day address.

“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.”

Beyond symbolic assurances

The president said the government would go beyond symbolic assurances, stressing that rescue operations would remain focused on securing the safe return of abducted victims.

“These operations must be intelligence-led, carefully executed, and focused on the safe recovery of our children,” he said while directing security agencies to intensify coordinated rescue missions nationwide.

Tinubu also announced expanded security measures for schools, including updated vulnerability assessments in high-risk areas, stronger coordination between state governments and security agencies, and improved emergency response systems linking schools with local security units.

According to him, the Federal Ministry of Education, working alongside state authorities, has been instructed to strengthen the implementation of the Safe Schools framework with clearer reporting procedures and faster response 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.

Rehabilitation and reintegration

The Nigerian leader added that efforts would also focus on rehabilitation and reintegration for rescued victims, including access to counselling, healthcare, education and psychosocial support.

“A child who returns from trauma must return to care, medical attention, counselling, education and dignity,” Tinubu stated.

Calling for collective action on child protection, the President urged parents, religious institutions, community leaders, vigilante groups, transport unions and the media to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around schools.

“When a community sees strange movement around a school and keeps quiet, a child is placed at risk,” he warned.

“The fight to protect children must begin before an attack happens, not after one has already occurred.”

Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s broader commitment to child welfare through investments in education, healthcare, nutrition, social protection and digital skills development.

“Our administration remains committed to a Nigeria where every child can learn safely, grow in good health, eat well, access opportunity and dream without fear,” he said.

Deadly attack

Gunmen abducted at least 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Nigeria's southwestern Oyo ​state on May 18, killing one teacher in captivity and wounding ‌security operatives with explosive devices during a rescue attempt, authorities said.

The attack took place in Ahoro Esinele ​community in Oriire district, targeting multiple schools, including ​a secondary school and two primary schools, officials ⁠said.

A joint rescue operation by soldiers, police, and local "vigilantes" ​was disrupted after operatives encountered improvised explosive devices ​planted by the attackers, leaving several wounded, Governor of Oyo state Seyi Makinde said.

President Bola Tinubu condemned the killing as "barbaric" and said federal authorities were working with the state to rescue all the victims.