By Damilare Adeleye
It has become an annual tradition to recognize the importance of children in Nigeria on May 27. The yearly celebration aims to raise awareness about children’s rights and promote their well-being and development in society.
This year’s celebration, however, is being observed with a heavy heart, grief, and anxiety, as over 80 children abducted from schools in Oyo and Borno statesremain in captivity. Their families are living in anguish, praying endlessly for their safe return.
All hell broke loose in the early hours of Friday, May 15, 2026, when gunmen stormed three schools, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawotaz Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele and L.A. Primary School all in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
During the attacks, one person was killed while several pupils and school staff were abducted. In all, 46 victims were caught in the coordinated assault.
Weeks later, none of the abductees has been rescued. Instead, we woke up to the horrifying news of the beheading of one of the kidnapped teachers, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, whose killing was recorded on video.
Similarly, terrorists abducted no fewer than 42 children from Central Primary School and a junior secondary school in Mussa, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State during school hours. Toddlers in the nursery section were among those taken away. Since the incident, there has been little public information regarding efforts to secure their release.
As Nigeria marks Children’s Day, one painful question demands an answer: Where are the children? Where is Christianah Akanbi, a two-year-old toddler? Where is Abdulsalam Toyib, a four-year-old child from the Ahoro-Esiele community? Where are Emmanuel Oyedele, 4; Idowu Taiwo, 4; Samuel Oyedele, 7; Juwon Sunday, 7; Ahmed Ramoni, 8; Tosin Abadi, 9; Asa David, 10; Shuaibu Aliyu, 10; Rashida Tajudeen, 11; Lege Taiwo, 12; Joshua Adeleke, 13; Hassan Azeez, 14; Hannah Ojo, 14; Fatimo Jimoh, 15; Baraka Aboye, 16; Jacob Gabriel, and many other young victims still trapped in the wilderness?
We believe they are alive. However, they are in forests and bushes, held by violent criminals who have stripped them of their freedom and violated their rights. They are living through fear, uncertainty, and unimaginable trauma. Children who should be in classrooms are now in captivity. They were born free, but are now chained by terror, deprived of safety, shelter, food, education, and peace.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, captured the mood of the nation in a strongly worded statement posted on X on Wednesday. She warned public office holders against turning Children’s Day into another empty public relations exercise.
“Do not dare release the recycled, ghost-written platitudes your media handlers have already drafted. Do not dare stand in front of cameras, surrounded by carefully arranged children in matching uniforms, to perform a tenderness you have never extended to the millions of Nigerian children you have abandoned, betrayed, and condemned to lives of suffering,” she wrote.
Her words resonate deeply. Over the years, May 27 has become a yearly ritual where governments at different levels make lofty promises to these kids. They speak passionately about building safe and conducive schools, protecting children’s rights, and investing in the future of young Nigerians.
Yet, too often, those promises fade into thin air once the ceremonies end.
Schools across the country have increasingly become targets of attacks. Classrooms are increasingly deserted due to fear, particularly in vulnerable communities.
At the same time, the number of out-of-school children continues to grow. UNICEF recently estimated that Nigeria has about 18.3 million out-of-school children, the highest figure in the world. That reality is both alarming and dangerous. It poses a serious threat to the country’s future and should concern every citizen.
The continued captivity of these students should trouble all of us, government officials, security agencies, civil society organizations, the media, and well-meaning citizens alike. Their rescue must become a national priority. The trauma these youngsters have endured is unbearable and unacceptable!
President Bola Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, must rise to the task. Beyond the usual commemorative speeches, Nigerians want decisive action. Perhaps there can never be a meaningful Children’s Day celebration while children remain missing in forests and kidnappers’ dens.
Something must be done urgently and tactically! Nigerian children deserve protection, safety, and dignity.