IBADAN, Nigeria (FN) — President Bola Tinubu on Thursday assured residents of Oyo State that schoolchildren and teachers abducted during coordinated attacks on three primary schools in Oriire Local Government Area would be rescued unharmed.
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly remodelled Premier Hotel in Ibadan, Tinubu said the Federal Government was deploying all available measures, including international collaboration, to secure the victims’ release and address rising insecurity nationwide.
“I must at this point reassure the good people of Oyo State and indeed the South-West that the Federal Government is seriously addressing the upswing in banditry, kidnapping and associated criminalities across the nation,” Tinubu said.
The abductions occurred on May 15, when armed groups attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele. The incident has heightened concerns about the safety of schools in Nigeria, where mass kidnappings have become a recurring challenge in recent years.
Tinubu urged citizens to remain vigilant and support security agencies through intelligence sharing and community collaboration. He also called on traditional and faith-based institutions to play a leading role in strengthening local security networks.
The president emphasized that economic growth depends on peace and stability, noting that his administration has invested heavily in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture. He highlighted improvements in inter-agency coordination, intelligence gathering, technological surveillance, and community-based initiatives, alongside increased support for the armed forces.
“There is an ongoing process in the National Assembly targeted at enhancing policing at all levels. We hope to roll this out in no distant future,” Tinubu said, adding that reforms were already yielding measurable results across several regions.
The president also sought to reassure investors and visitors that Nigeria was becoming more secure and attractive for business. He linked the reopening of the Premier Hotel to broader economic reforms, describing the project as a symbol of resilience and optimism.
Tinubu paid tribute to the visionary leaders of the old Western Region, crediting their foresight in building enduring institutions that continue to shape the South-West’s development. He said current reforms were laying the foundation for a stronger, more competitive economy, with foreign reserves at their highest level in two decades.
The coordinated school attacks in Oyo State have drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups and international observers, who warn that persistent insecurity threatens education and economic progress. Analysts say the government’s response will be closely watched as a test of its ability to protect vulnerable communities and restore public confidence
