Education ministry condemns Oyo, Borno school abductions two weeks after

The Federal Ministry of Education has condemned the abduction of students in Oyo and Borno states, nearly two weeks after the incidents occurred.

It has vowed to work with security agencies to ensure the safe return of all the children.

The condemnation was contained in a press release issued on Thursday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo.

The Minister of Education, Maruf Alausa, described the attacks as tragic and unacceptable, adding that attacks on schools and students were attacks on Nigeria’s future.

“No child should face fear or violence in pursuit of education. Government remains committed to securing schools and protecting learners nationwide,” Alausa stated.

He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening school security through improved surveillance, emergency response systems, and the implementation of the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools, the statement read.

The ministry also urged Nigerians to remain calm, avoid the spread of misinformation, and support ongoing rescue efforts, while reaffirming its solidarity with affected families and the governments of Oyo and Borno states.

At least 82 schoolchildren were abducted between May 13 and 15 during separate attacks in the two states.

Forty-two pupils were kidnapped on May 13 and 14 after armed groups attacked schools in Askira Uba and Chibok local government areas of Borno State, while another 40 schoolchildren were abducted on May 15 after gunmen invaded communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

During the Oyo attack, the gunmen abducted mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun alongside the pupils and teachers.

The abductors subsequently beheaded Oyedokun and released a video of the killing.

A motorcyclist was also killed during the attack, while a security personnel died after running into improvised explosive devices planted by the abductors during early rescue attempts.

The schools attacked in Oyo were Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, and Community Grammar School/L.A. Primary School, Esiele, with the vice principal, Mrs Alamu Folawe, among those abducted.

In Borno, suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, located on the fringes of the Sambisa Forest.

The Emir of Uba later revealed that 48 persons were abducted from the community, comprising 37 primary school pupils, six secondary school students, and five other residents.

Suspected terrorists behind the Oyo abductions have since opened communication channels with the state government, with sources saying the abductors refused to speak directly with the families of the victims and insisted on negotiating only with the governor.

In response to the Borno attack, the state government temporarily closed and relocated Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, to Government Secondary School, Uba, as part of immediate safety measures under the Safe Schools Initiative.

President Bola Tinubu had on Wednesday, in a Children’s Day message, ordered enhanced school protection in high-risk areas and directed intensified coordinated rescue efforts for the abducted children.