The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo and Borno states, describing their safe return as a top national priority.
The government also reaffirmed its determination to defeat terrorism, stating that security agencies are deploying all lawful measures to rescue those in captivity and bring perpetrators to justice.
At least 82 pupils were abducted between May 13 and 15 during separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states.
In Borno State, 42 pupils were kidnapped after armed groups attacked schools in Askira Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas on May 13 and 14.
Another 40 pupils were abducted in Oyo State on May 15 during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, all in Oriire Local Government Area.
The Oyo attack also claimed the lives of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, a motorcyclist, and a security operative during rescue efforts.
Speaking at a special national security press briefing themed “Unite Against Terror” in Abuja on Thursday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the attacks on schools represented an assault on Nigeria’s future.
“The abduction of innocent school children and their teachers is not merely an attack on families or communities; it is an attack on the future of our nation, on education, and on the values that bind us together as Nigerians,” he said.
The minister, speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, assured citizens that every effort was being made to rescue the victims.
“The safe return of every child and every teacher currently in captivity remains a top national priority,” Idris said.
According to him, President Tinubu has directed security agencies to deploy every lawful instrument available to secure the release of those in captivity, including the deployment of a specialised rescue team.
He also disclosed that the President had authorised the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security across vulnerable communities and forested areas.
While declining to reveal operational details, Idris said multiple security and intelligence agencies were working in close coordination to rescue the victims and track down their abductors.
He said the Armed Forces, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, National Intelligence Agency, Office of the National Security Adviser, and the National Counter Terrorism Centre were actively involved in ongoing operations.
“Intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, community engagement, and search-and-rescue operations are continuing without interruption,” he said.
The minister noted that the Tinubu administration had adopted a comprehensive, intelligence-driven approach to addressing insecurity, alongside reforms aimed at overhauling the country’s security architecture.
He identified state policing as one of the key pillars of the administration’s security reforms.
“President Tinubu is determined to ensure that one of his legacies is the delivery of a restructured policing system that is dynamic, flexible, and fit-for-purpose,” he said.
Providing updates on counter-terrorism operations, Idris said troops of Operation Hadin Kai had recorded significant successes against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents in the North-East.
He said recent military operations repelled infiltration attempts along the Kirawa-Pulka and Ngoshe axes of Borno State, leading to the neutralisation of more than 50 terrorists, including high-value targets.
According to him, about 1,000 terrorists, including several commanders, were eliminated during the first quarter of 2026.
He also revealed that a joint Nigeria-United States-supported operation conducted in May disrupted terrorist logistics networks and eliminated key ISWAP commanders, while security forces rescued 92 civilians from captivity near Buratai.
The minister said intensified operations in the North-West and North-Central regions had led to the dismantling of several criminal camps and the arrest of numerous suspects.
He added that maritime security operations had significantly reduced oil theft, resulting in an increase of about 400,000 barrels per day in oil production since President Tinubu assumed office.
Idris further highlighted recent gains in terrorism-related prosecutions, including the conviction and death sentence handed to four terrorists involved in the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State.
He disclosed that more than 500 terrorism suspects were currently facing trial nationwide.
“According to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, 508 terrorism-related cases were brought before the courts during the latest phase of the trials, resulting in 386 convictions,” he said.
The minister also noted that Nigeria had strengthened counter-terrorism cooperation with the United States and other international partners through intelligence sharing, military training, border security and cybersecurity collaboration.
He praised the cooperation between the Federal Government and state governments, particularly in Oyo and Borno states, where joint efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Calling for national unity, Idris said defeating terrorism required a whole-of-society approach.
“Terrorists thrive on fear, division, misinformation and public despair. Their objective is not only to kidnap or kill; it is to weaken national unity and undermine confidence in our institutions. We must not allow them to succeed,” he said.
Addressing families of those still in captivity, the minister assured them that the government had not forgotten their plight.
“Every available resource is being deployed. Every security agency remains engaged. Every intelligence lead is being pursued,” he said.
Expressing confidence that Nigeria would overcome the challenge, Idris declared: “We shall defeat terrorism. We shall protect our schools. We shall safeguard our children. And we shall continue to build a nation where every Nigerian can live, learn, work and prosper in peace.”
