President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured parents and families of schoolchildren abducted in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, and Borno State that the federal government is working tirelessly to secure their safe return.

The president gave the assurance on Wednesday in a statement marking the 2026 Children’s Day celebration, which coincided with the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.

The reassurance follows recent attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states by suspected terrorists.

On May 15, gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso, located in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. According to the Oyo State Police Command, two persons were killed during the attack, while about 45 schoolchildren, alongside teachers and a school principal, were abducted.

On the same day, suspected insurgents reportedly invaded Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Mussa village, Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting dozens of students while classes were in session.

Reacting to the incidents, President Tinubu appealed to affected families not to lose hope, stressing that the victims had not been forgotten.

“As a father and your President, you are not forgotten. You are not abandoned,” Tinubu said while addressing the abducted children, their parents and teachers.

The president acknowledged the pain and anxiety faced by the affected families, noting that some parents could not fully participate in Children’s Day celebrations because of concerns over their missing children.

He assured Nigerians that his administration would not treat the tragedy as a ceremonial issue but would continue efforts until all abducted children are rescued and those responsible brought to justice.

Tinubu disclosed that he had directed all relevant security agencies to intensify coordinated rescue operations nationwide, particularly targeting the safe recovery of abducted children and vulnerable citizens.

According to him, the operations would be intelligence-driven and carefully executed to ensure the safe return of the victims.

The president also announced plans to strengthen security around schools, especially in vulnerable communities across the country.

He said the government would improve school vulnerability mapping, strengthen coordination between state governments and security agencies, establish rapid response communication channels between schools and local security units, and enhance community-based early warning systems.

Tinubu further stated that children rescued from abduction and violence would receive proper medical care, psychological counselling, educational support and reintegration assistance.

He called on parents, teachers, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community members to work closely with security agencies in protecting schools and preventing future attacks.

According to the president, safeguarding children requires proactive collaboration between communities and security agencies before attacks occur.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, is expected in Ekiti State on Saturday, May 30, 2026, for a one-day working visit aimed at inaugurating projects and mobilizing support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the state governorship election.

According to a press release issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Yinka Oyebode, the First Lady, who is also the National Chairman of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), will be accompanied by some state First Ladies and top government officials during the visit.

She is expected to be received by Governor Oyebanji, the Ekiti State First Lady, Olayemi Oyebanji, as well as other top government functionaries in the state.

As part of her itinerary, Senator Tinubu will commission a newly constructed ICT Centre at Ekiti State University, facilitated through her Renewed Hope Initiative.

The First Lady is also scheduled to meet with traditional rulers under the umbrella of the Ekiti State Traditional Rulers’ Council.

Another major highlight of the visit will be the official flag-off of the All Progressives Congress Women Campaign Rally for Governor Oyebanji’s re-election bid at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion.

The statement noted that the Renewed Hope Initiative has carried out over 16 interventions in Ekiti State since 2023, including financial and material empowerment programmes targeted at women, youths, students, farmers, vulnerable households, small-scale businesses and People With Disabilities.

Mrs Oyebanji assured that adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure a successful and memorable visit for the First Lady and her entourage.

Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele has warned political actors against promoting violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring that no Nigerian deserves to lose his or her life because of political ambition.

Bamidele made the appeal in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Directorate of Media and Public Affairs to commemorate the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration. He urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of faith, obedience, sacrifice and peaceful coexistence exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

According to the Senate Leader, Eid-el-Kabir should serve as a period of reflection and renewed commitment to national unity, peace and collective prosperity, especially as the country gradually enters a heated political season ahead of the 2027 elections scheduled for January 16 and February 6.

He expressed concern over the history of electoral violence in Nigeria, noting that thousands of lives had been lost during previous election cycles. Citing data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), Bamidele said at least 1,639 Nigerians were killed in election-related violence between 1999 and 2023.

The Senate Leader recalled that about 80 people lost their lives during the 1999 elections, 100 in 2003, 300 in 2007, 800 in 2011, 100 in 2015, 150 in 2019 and 109 in 2023.

He stressed that the country could no longer afford such bloodshed, insisting that political campaigns and elections must be conducted peacefully and strictly in accordance with the law.

“Regardless of political affiliation, we must all recognise that Nigeria belongs to all of us. No political ambition should lead to violence or the loss of innocent lives before, during or after the elections,” he said.

Bamidele urged political parties, candidates and supporters to conduct themselves responsibly and avoid actions capable of plunging the country into chaos or instability.

The Senate Leader also called for prayers for children, parents and teachers currently being held captive by bandits and kidnappers across the country, particularly the 87 victims recently abducted in parts of Borno and Oyo states.

He described the continued detention of children by criminal groups as a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and assured Nigerians that security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the victims’ release.

“We must remember all our children and parents still in captivity across the federation. Our prayers are with them, and security forces remain committed to rescuing them and reuniting them with their families,” he stated.

Bamidele further assured Nigerians that the National Assembly remained committed to strengthening laws and policies aimed at improving security across the country, including in remote communities vulnerable to attacks.

He added that lawmakers were also working towards strengthening the nation’s social security framework to better support young Nigerians and vulnerable citizens.

The Senate Leader maintained that kidnapping remained a serious crime against humanity and vowed that efforts would continue to ensure that perpetrators and their collaborators face severe punishment under the law.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to use the Eid-el-Kabir celebration as an opportunity to pray for peace, unity and national stability as the country prepares for another democratic transition.