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.

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.

Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Alawe of Ilawe-Ekiti Kingdom, Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi, describing the late monarch as a visionary leader, seasoned diplomat and passionate advocate of community development.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Leader of the Senate, Bamidele condoled with the Government of Ekiti State, the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, the people of Ilawe-Ekiti, and the entire Ekiti State over the monarch’s transition.

The Senate Leader noted that the late royal father lived a life of remarkable service both in the traditional institution and in Nigeria’s diplomatic service before ascending the throne in 2012. According to him, Oba Alabi served meritoriously for 25 years in Nigeria’s Foreign Service at the directorate cadre and represented the country in foreign missions, including postings in Cameroon and South Africa.

Bamidele stated that the reign of the late monarch brought notable progress to Ilawe-Ekiti, especially in the areas of infrastructure, education, healthcare, industrial growth and digital connectivity. He added that the monarch remained committed to the unity and development of both his kingdom and the entire state throughout his reign.

He further praised the late traditional ruler for his advocacy for constitutional recognition of traditional institutions, noting that Oba Alabi consistently emphasized the importance of traditional rulers because of their closeness to the grassroots.

The Senate Leader also highlighted the monarch’s contributions to strengthening traditional leadership in Yorubaland and Ekiti State, particularly during his tenure as Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers between 2019 and 2021, as well as his leadership of the Ekiti South-West Traditional Council.

According to Bamidele, the late monarch’s reign was marked by peace, wisdom, unity and selfless service to humanity.

“Oba Adebanji Ajibade Alabi was a monarch of wisdom, peace and uncommon dedication to his people. His legacies of development, unity and selfless service will remain enduring reference points for generations to come,” Bamidele stated.

He extended heartfelt condolences to the royal family, the people of Ilawe-Ekiti, the traditional institution in Ekiti State and all those affected by the monarch’s passing, while praying that God grants them the strength to bear the loss.