₦airaland Forum

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, says President Bola Tinubu has ordered a full-scale rescue operation for the abducted Ogbomoso and Borno schoolchildren.

Idris spoke in Abuja on Thursday during a press conference on national security tagged #UniteAgainstTerror.

The minister’s comments come amid growing public concern over the rising wave of attacks on schools across the country, which has triggered protests in several locations, including the nation’s capital, since Monday.

On May 15, gunmen abducted about 39 students and seven teachers from three schools in Oriire LGA of Oyo state.

Two people were killed during the attack on one of the schools, while Michael Oyedokun, one of the abducted teachers, was later killed in captivity.

In a separate incident in mid-May, about 42 children were reportedly abducted from a school in Askira-Uba LGA of Borno state.

Addressing the incidents, Idris said the abductions are not merely attacks on communities and families but assaults on the future of the country, education and the values that bind citizens together.

He, however, on behalf of the president, assured that “the safe return of every child and every teacher currently in captivity remains a top national priority”.

“The president has made it clear that no child belongs in captivity and that no effort will be spared in ensuring that those responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to justice,” the minister added.

“He has directed that every lawful instrument available to the Nigerian state be deployed towards achieving this objective, including the deployment of a specialised rescue team.”

The minister said the president has also authorised the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security presence across vulnerable communities and forests.

He noted that the Borno attack bears the familiar signature of terrorist groups that have for years sought to undermine education and destabilise communities in the north-east.

“While operational details cannot be disclosed for security reasons, I can assure Nigerians that multiple security and intelligence agencies are working in close coordination,” he said.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Intelligence Agency, the Office of the National Security Adviser, and the National Counter Terrorism Centre are actively involved in ongoing efforts.

“Intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, community engagement, and search-and-rescue operations are continuing without interruption.”

‘WE SHALL OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE’

Idris said the Tinubu administration’s response goes beyond the deployment of force, noting that it is anchored on a comprehensive, intelligence-led approach to national security, alongside an overhaul of the country’s security architecture.

According to him, one of the key pillars of the reforms is the implementation of state policing, which he said the president is determined to leave as part of his legacy.

“President Tinubu is determined to ensure that one of his legacies is the delivery of a restructured policing system that is dynamic, flexible, and fit-for-purpose — one that truly empowers and secures local communities,” he said.

The minister said the administration inherited complex security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and oil theft, but has adopted a strategy that combines military pressure, intelligence coordination, technology, regional cooperation and socio-economic interventions.

He claimed that since May 2023, hundreds of terrorists and criminal elements have been neutralised, arrested or forced to surrender, while numerous kidnapping victims have been rescued across the country.

Idris also linked lasting security to economic development, saying the government is pursuing reforms aimed at promoting inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

“There is a fundamental point to be made: that the enduring solution to Nigeria’s security challenges lies in shared and inclusive economic growth and shared prosperity,” he said.

“This is why President Tinubu is championing the most ambitious, forward-looking, and productive economic reforms in our nation’s history.”

‘TERRORISM HAS NO TRIBE’

The minister also urged Nigerians to support security agencies and reject divisive narratives, stressing that terrorism has no ethnic, religious or political identity.

“Whether in Oyo, Borno, Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, the South-East, or any other part of Nigeria, an attack against one Nigerian is an attack against all Nigerians,” he said.

“Terrorism has no tribe. Terrorism has no religion. Terrorism has no political affiliation. Its only purpose is destruction.”

Idris called on media organisations to exercise restraint and professionalism in reporting security issues, warning that sensational coverage could inadvertently advance the objectives of terrorist groups.

“To the families whose children and loved ones remain in captivity, I convey the assurances of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

“Your pain is our pain. Your government – our government – has not forgotten you.

“Every available resource is being deployed. Every security agency remains engaged. Every intelligence lead is being pursued.”

Idris expressed confidence that the country would overcome the current security challenges.

“Nigeria has faced difficult moments before and emerged stronger. We shall overcome this challenge as well,” he said.

“We shall defeat terrorism. We shall protect our schools. We shall safeguard our children. And we shall continue to build a nation where every Nigerian can live, learn, work, and prosper in peace.”

LagosOrigin:
Una head no correct .. after how many days ?

2 years old has been in the forest for over a week now and the president is just sending rescue team?

Na God go punish una for destroying our country

Image123:
They don't believe it. They expect him to go and snap photos in ogbomoso wearing military khaki and put his hand on his chin like clueless GEJ.

Ejyksneh:
How
When
What
Who?
Who will believe, no one, no not one

HacheNoire:
God bless His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR)

….The labour of our hero’s past, shall never be in vain.

SlavaUkraini:
https://www.thecable.ng/tinubu-deploying-full-scale-rescue-operations-for-abducted-schoolchildren-says-mohammed-idris/

Angelfrost:
Sigh... Hard to stomach the reality that someone else would perform way below Buhari the Failure.

LagosOrigin:
Una head no correct .. after how many days ?

2 years old has been in the forest for over a week now and the president is just sending rescue team?

Na God go punish una for destroying our country