As Nigeria dey celebrate Children’s Day on May 27, 2026, many families no get reason to smile. For 13 days now, 42 pupils from Borno and 46 persons – including teachers and students – from Oyo State dey with kidnappers. No contact from abductors, and fear dey high.
President Bola Tinubu, for im Children’s Day message, promise say government no go abandon the children. He say security agencies get directive to intensify rescue operations. But for ground, parents no see any progress.
One Borno mother, Sarah, tell Daily Trust with tears: “Nobody don contact us since day our children take. We dey worry for the toddlers wey no fit feed themselves.” The toddlers, between two and five years, dey among the 42 pupils wey Boko Haram take from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School for Askira-Uba Local Government Area on May 15.
For Oyo State, same day, gunmen kidnap 39 students and seven teachers from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School for Oriire Local Government Area. One teacher, Michael Oyedokun, dem kill. A two-year-old toddler, Christianah Akanbi, also dey among the victims.
Two online videos show the abducted principal, Rachael Alamu, and a nursing mother pleading for rescue. But since then, nothing.
Professor Wole Alamu, husband of the principal, beg people make dem no talk too much for public because e fit spoil rescue efforts. He say: “Serious work dey happen behind the scenes. Anything wey we talk now fit jeopardise rescue.”
Borno State government don close the school where abduction happen. Commissioner for Education, Engr Lawan Abba Wakilbe, say dem dey relocate pupils to safer learning centres under Safe Schools Initiative. But parents no dey convinced. Mohammed Sale, one father, say: “The worst don happen. Only God fit save our small children.”
For Oyo, Governor Seyi Makinde assure say dem dey work round the clock with security agencies to secure release. But residents dey live in fear. One resident wey be vigilante member say local hunters try pursue attackers but dem retreat because of superior weapons. He say: “Security agencies tell us say the weapons similar to those wey Boko Haram dey use.”
Many Nigerians, including celebrities like Toke Makinwa, Paul Okoye, Ruth Kadiri, and Patience Ozokwor, dey use hashtag #BringBackOurStudents to demand action. Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, write open letter to President Tinubu, governors, and National Assembly. She say: “Do not dare wish Happy Children’s Day to 1,799 students wey dem seize since Chibok. You dey wish happy day to 19 million children wey no go school because of kidnap threat.”
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, don order deployment of special forces and aerial surveillance to Oyo. Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, say troops dey sustain aggressive operations until dem arrest perpetrators.
Security expert, Kunle Olawunmi, blame poor governance for the insecurity. He say: “Dis country deserve better government. Many people wey dey authority dey think of personal gain.” He add say deploying more troops no go solve problem without competent leadership.
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also call for urgent action. Dem say: “No child suppose experience fear for place wey dem suppose dey learn.” Dem urge government to treat school protection as national priority.
