Tinubu vows to rescue children in captivity

…Says children’s future matters to the government 

…As FG initiates early warning system, community based intelligence, surveillance 

President Bola Tinubu has vowed to do everything necessary to free children under the captivity of kidnappers, bandits and insurgents.

The President in a message he personally signed on the occasion of the 2026 Children’s Day celebrations, assured their parents that the children are not abandoned

The President noted that on such a special day dedicated to mark the Children’s day, which coincided with Eid-el-Kabir, some Nigerian children and their teachers in Oyo and Borno should be with their families, but are being held captive by criminals.

He however noted that those “children have been forced into fear. Some parents cannot join today’s celebration because their hearts are set on one prayer: ‘Bring our children home.’

“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.

“To the families grieving and despondent, your government will not turn your pain into ceremony. We will continue to work until children taken from their homes, schools and communities are returned safely, and until those who profit from this cruelty are brought to justice”, he noted.

He reiterated that he had “directed all relevant security agencies to sustain and intensify coordinated rescue operations for abducted children and other vulnerable citizens across the country.

According to him, “These operations must be intelligence-led, carefully executed and focused on the safe recovery of our children.

He stated that he had also directed the strengthening of school protection measures in high-risk areas.

“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”, he said.

The President also directed the Federal Ministry of Education to work 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.

“We will also improve support for children who have survived abduction, violence and displacement.

President Tinubu while noting that rescue is not the end of the government’s duty, he said 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.

“Let me also state that protecting children cannot be left solely to the government. Parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, youth groups, transport unions, local vigilantes and the media all have a role to play”, he stated.

“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.

“This is why we will continue to strengthen the link between communities and security agencies. The fight to protect children must begin before an attack happens, not after one has already occurred”, he submitted.

He assured that his administration remains committed to a Nigeria where every child can learn safely, grow in good health, eat well, access opportunity and dream without fear.

“We are investing in education, health care, nutrition, social protection, digital skills and safer communities because childhood must not be a privilege reserved for a few. It is the right of every Nigerian child.

“To our children, you matter—your dreams matter; your safety matters. Your education matters. Be assured that your future matters to this government and to this nation, and we will safeguard it”, he added.

The theme for this year’s celebration, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” speaks powerfully to the soul of our national conscience. It reminds us that the future is not a distant promise; it is already here.