Thirteen days after gunmen abducted scores of schoolchildren and teachers in separate attacks in Borno and Oyo states, families of the victims remain trapped in fear and uncertainty as there has been no meaningful contact from the abductors or confirmation of the victims’ condition.
The incidents, which occurred on May 15, 2026, have once again drawn national attention to the worsening security crisis facing schools across Nigeria and renewed concerns over the safety of children in vulnerable communities.
In Borno State, suspected Boko Haram insurgents stormed Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, abducting 42 pupils, including toddlers between the ages of two and five. On the same day in Oyo State, armed kidnappers invaded Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area, kidnapping 46 people, including seven teachers and 39 students.
Among those abducted in Oyo was a two-year-old child, Christianah Akanbi, while a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed during the attack, worsening fears among residents and relatives.
As Nigeria marked Children’s Day on Wednesday, the fate of the abducted pupils dominated public discussion, with parents, activists, religious leaders and civil society groups demanding urgent action from the government and security agencies.
Parents Living in Fear
In Borno, anguished parents say they have received no information about their children since the abduction. Many described the silence from both the abductors and authorities as deeply traumatic.
One parent, Mohammed Sale, said the community had lost hope in official assurances and now relied only on prayers for the children’s survival.
Another mother, identified simply as Sarah, broke down in tears while speaking about the abducted toddlers.
“We have not heard anything from anybody. Some of these children are too young to feed themselves or survive on their own. We don’t know whether they are sick, hungry or even alive,” she said emotionally.
Teachers at the affected school also described the atmosphere as heartbreaking, revealing that several parents had stopped sending their children to school out of fear of further attacks.
A female teacher, who requested anonymity, said the empty classrooms had become a painful reminder of the tragedy.
“Whenever I walk into the classrooms, I remember the children that were taken away. Many parents no longer feel safe sending their children to school,” she said.
Government Responds with School Closure
In response to the Borno incident, the state government ordered the immediate closure of the affected school as part of emergency security measures under the Safe Schools Initiative.
The Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Engr. Lawan Abba Wakilbe, led a delegation to the affected community and assured parents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the pupils safely.
The government also announced plans to relocate pupils from vulnerable communities to safer learning centres within the local government area.
Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration said it remained in constant communication with military and police authorities to coordinate rescue operations.
Despite the assurances, youth groups and community leaders accused both the state and federal governments of not doing enough.
President of the Borno South Youth Alliance, Samaila Ibrahim Kaigama, criticised what he described as the slow pace of action.
“People are frustrated because there has been no visible progress. If military operations are not yielding results, government must explore every possible option to save these children,” he said.
Oyo Community Gripped by Anxiety
In Oyo State, tension remains high as residents continue to await news of the kidnapped students and teachers.
Two videos released online shortly after the attack showed the kidnapped school principal, Mrs Rachael Alamu, and a nursing mother pleading for urgent rescue, intensifying public concern.
Professor Wole Alamu, husband of the abducted principal, appealed for restraint in public discussions, warning that sensitive information could undermine rescue efforts already being coordinated behind the scenes.
Residents of Oriire Local Government described the attack as horrifying and said insecurity had become a growing threat in rural communities surrounded by forests.
A member of a local vigilante group disclosed that local hunters attempted to pursue the kidnappers but were forced to retreat because the gunmen carried more sophisticated weapons.
“We were informed that the attackers were heavily armed with weapons similar to those used by insurgent groups. The children were crying and begging for help,” he said.
Chairman of Oriire Local Government Area, Alabi Olateju Michael, confirmed that security forces had intensified operations in the area and expressed optimism that the victims would soon regain freedom.
Tinubu Orders Intensified Rescue Operations
President Bola Tinubu, in his Children’s Day message, assured Nigerians that his administration would not relent until all abducted children were rescued safely and perpetrators brought to justice.
The president directed security agencies to intensify intelligence-driven rescue operations and strengthen protection around schools, especially in high-risk areas.
He also ordered improved collaboration between state governments, security agencies and local communities through early warning systems and rapid emergency response mechanisms.
“Rescue is not the end of government’s responsibility,” Tinubu stated, stressing that rescued children must receive rehabilitation, counselling, medical care and reintegration support.
The President further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding the Safe Schools framework to better protect educational institutions nationwide.
Military Deploys Special Forces
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, has reportedly deployed special forces and aerial surveillance teams to Oyo State following the kidnapping.
Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said the military had already gathered useful intelligence and promised sustained operations until the abductors were apprehended.
Security experts, however, argue that military deployment alone may not solve the problem.
Retired Naval Commodore and security analyst, Kunle Olawunmi, blamed the worsening insecurity on poor governance, unemployment and poverty.
According to him, many criminal groups exploit widespread hardship and weak governance structures to recruit members and carry out kidnappings for ransom.
“This country needs competent leadership and serious reforms within the security system. More troops alone cannot solve the problem,” he said.
CAN, Ezekwesili Condemn Rising School Attacks
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) described the attacks as tragic and unacceptable, warning that no nation can progress when children are unsafe in schools.
The association urged governments at all levels to treat school protection as a national emergency and strengthen security around learning institutions.
Former Minister of Education, Obiageli Ezekwesili, also criticised Nigerian leaders over what she described as neglect of children’s welfare and security.
In a strongly worded message, she condemned political leaders for celebrating Children’s Day while thousands of children remain victims of insecurity, poverty and lack of access to education.
Ezekwesili noted that Nigeria continues to record one of the highest numbers of out-of-school children globally, with insecurity and repeated school kidnappings worsening the crisis.
Growing Fear Over School Safety
The latest abductions have reignited painful memories of previous mass kidnappings, including the Chibok and Dapchi incidents, and further deepened fears about the safety of schools in Nigeria’s rural communities.
Parents and education stakeholders warn that continued attacks on schools could discourage education, especially in already vulnerable areas where many children struggle to access learning opportunities.
As rescue efforts continue, families of the abducted pupils say they are holding onto hope and prayers while waiting anxiously for the safe return of their loved ones.
