By Precious Mark
The Federal Government has described the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno States as part of a coordinated terrorist strategy aimed at undermining education, destabilising communities and weakening national unity.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, made this known on Thursday at a national security briefing in Abuja, saying the incidents are not isolated but part of a broader attack on the country’s future.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of all abducted victims, adding that the situation is being treated as a top national emergency.
Idris said the government is responding through an intelligence-led, multi-agency operation involving the Armed Forces, DSS, Police, National Intelligence Agency, Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Counter Terrorism Centre.
He explained that what distinguishes the administration’s response is “not merely the deployment of force but the adoption of a comprehensive, intelligence-led approach to national security, combined with an ongoing and long-overdue overhaul of the nation’s security architecture.”
The minister said schools are being deliberately targeted because they represent “soft targets and powerful symbols of national development,” with attackers seeking to instil fear and disrupt education in vulnerable communities.
Idris also highlighted ongoing military successes across different theatres of operation, particularly in the North-East under Operation Hadin Kai, where troops continue to record gains against Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists.
He said in the past week, troops repelled multiple infiltration attempts along the Kirawa-Pulka and Ngoshe axes in Borno State, with follow-up operations leading to the neutralisation of over 50 terrorists, including high-value targets.
According to him, military authorities further disclosed that about 1,000 terrorist elements, including several commanders, were eliminated in the first quarter of 2026 through sustained operations across the theatre.
Additionally, in April 2026, Nigeria commenced one of the largest terrorism prosecutions in its history, with more than 500 suspects facing trial nationwide. The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation said 508 terrorism-related cases were brought before the courts in the latest phase of proceedings, resulting in 386 convictions.
Idris stressed that Nigeria’s security strategy is increasingly dependent on international cooperation, including intelligence-sharing partnerships with the United States and regional allies, as well as improved coordination with state governments.
He urged the media and citizens to avoid sensational reporting, warning that terrorists exploit fear and misinformation to advance their objectives.
The minister assured families of abducted victims that government efforts remain ongoing, insisting that the safe return of every child and teacher remains a top national priority.
“No Nigerian child belongs in captivity. Every available resource is being deployed to bring them home,” he said.