ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that efforts are ongoing to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo and Borno States, stressing that their safe return remains a top national priority and reaffirming that terrorism will be defeated.
It also reiterated its commitment to ending terrorism, noting that security agencies are deploying all lawful measures to rescue those in captivity and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
At least 82 pupils were abducted between May 13 and 15 in separate incidents 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.
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In Oyo State, another 40 pupils were abducted on May 15 during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area.
The attack also led to the deaths of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, a motorcyclist, and a security operative during rescue operations.
Speaking at a special national security press briefing themed “Unite Against Terror” at Radio House, Abuja, on Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the recent attacks on schools amounted to an assault on the nation’s future.
“This press briefing comes at a sobering moment in our nation’s history. Recent events in Oyo and Borno States have once again tested our collective resolve as a people.
“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,” Idris stated.
Representing the Federal Government and President Bola Tinubu, the minister assured Nigerians that all efforts were being made to secure the victims’ release.
“On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government of Nigeria, I wish to assure all Nigerians that the safe return of every child and every teacher currently in captivity remains a top national priority,” he said.
Idris added that President Tinubu had directed security agencies to deploy all lawful means to secure the release of the victims.
“The President has made it clear that no child belongs in captivity and that no effort will be spared in ensuring that those responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to justice.
“He has directed that every lawful instrument available to the Nigerian state be deployed towards achieving this objective, including the deployment of a specialised rescue team.
“He has also authorised the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security presence across vulnerable communities and forests within the state,” the minister stated.
He explained that security and intelligence agencies were already working jointly, although operational details could not be disclosed.
Idris stated, “While operational details cannot be disclosed for security reasons, I can assure Nigerians that multiple security and intelligence agencies are working in close coordination.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Intelligence Agency, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the National Counter Terrorism Centre are actively involved in ongoing efforts.
“Intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, community engagement, and search-and-rescue operations are continuing without interruption.”
The minister said the administration was pursuing a broad, intelligence-led approach to national security alongside reforms of the security architecture.
“What distinguishes the Tinubu Administration’s response is not merely the deployment of force but the adoption of a comprehensive, intelligence-led approach to national security, combined with an ongoing and long-overdue overhaul of the nation’s security architecture,” he said.
He identified state policing as a key component of the reforms, noting ongoing efforts to restructure the policing system for better local security response.
Idris also said President Tinubu inherited a complex security situation but had recorded notable gains through combined military, intelligence, and socio-economic strategies since May 2023.
Providing updates from the North-East, he said troops of Operation Hadin Kai had intensified operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents.
“In the past week alone, the Nigerian Army and Air Force, acting on credible intelligence, successfully repelled multiple infiltration attempts along the Kirawa-Pulka and Ngoshe axes in Borno State.
“Follow-up operations led to the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists, including several high-value targets.”
He added that about 1,000 terrorists, including commanders, were eliminated in the first quarter of 2026, while coordinated operations had also disrupted terrorist logistics networks.
Security operations in the North-West and North-Central were also intensified against bandit groups, with several camps dismantled and suspects arrested.
In the South-East and South-South, he said operations continued against criminal networks, oil theft, and economic sabotage, noting improvements in maritime security and crude oil production.
Idris further highlighted recent terrorism-related prosecutions, including the conviction of four terrorists linked to the June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
He said over 500 terrorism suspects were currently being prosecuted, with hundreds of convictions already recorded in ongoing trials.
On international cooperation, the minister said Nigeria had strengthened collaboration with the United States and other partners in intelligence sharing, counterterrorism, and border security.
He also confirmed close coordination between the Federal Government and state authorities, particularly in Oyo and Borno States, to support rescue operations.
Idris stressed that sustainable security would depend on inclusive economic growth and ongoing national reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He called for national unity and urged citizens and the media to support security efforts while avoiding the spread of misinformation or terrorist propaganda.
Concluding, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to defeating terrorism and restoring peace across the country, insisting that collective resolve would ensure that insecurity does not prevail.