Addressing concerns over the incident, Tinubu said the Federal Government was deploying all available resources, including international collaboration, to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and their teachers
KaNo —
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, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
The President gave the assurance during the inauguration of the newly remodelled Premier Hotel in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where he also reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring safety and stability nationwide.
The victims were abducted on Friday, May 15, 2026, when armed assailants launched coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, all located in Oriire Local Government Area.
Addressing concerns over the incident, Tinubu said the Federal Government was deploying all available resources, including international collaboration, to secure the safe release of the abducted pupils and their teachers.
He called on Nigerians to remain vigilant and actively support security agencies through intelligence sharing and community cooperation, noting that collective responsibility was crucial in combating insecurity.
“I urge all citizens to remain vigilant and to work collaboratively with security agencies. There is undoubtedly a huge role for traditional and faith-based institutions to play in this regard, and I urge them to take the lead through the various channels provided by government,” he added.
Tinubu emphasised that sustainable economic growth could only be achieved in an environment of peace and security, explaining that his administration had made significant investments in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture over the past three years.
According to him, efforts to curb insecurity have included improved inter-agency coordination, enhanced intelligence gathering, expanded technological surveillance capabilities, strengthened community-based security initiatives, and increased support for the armed forces and other security agencies.
“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,” the President disclosed.
He maintained that these measures were already yielding measurable results in several parts of the country and would continue until all Nigerians could live and conduct their activities without fear.
“These efforts are yielding measurable results across many parts of the country. We remain committed to ensuring that every Nigerian, every investor, and every visitor can live, work, travel and do business in safety and confidence,” Tinubu said.
The President also sought to reassure investors and visitors that Nigeria was becoming increasingly secure and attractive as a destination for business and tourism.
“As guests look forward to using this magnificent facility from within Nigeria and from different parts of the world, they should be assured that our nation is becoming increasingly secure, increasingly connected and increasingly open for business,” he said.
He noted that improvements in security, infrastructure expansion, ongoing economic reforms, and strategic investments such as the redevelopment of Premier Hotel were strong indicators that the country was on a path to sustained growth and prosperity.
“Today, what we are celebrating is not just the reopening of a hotel, but the restoration of a true national icon,” he said.
“The transformation and modernisation of this facility remind us that heritage should not be abandoned to the passage of time. Rather, it should be preserved, renewed, and adapted to meet contemporary realities.”he added
“In many ways, this project mirrors the rebirth of other iconic national assets across our country. It similarly demonstrates that our past can serve as a foundation upon which we build a stronger future,” the President stated.
Tinubu also paid tribute to the visionary leaders of the old Western Region, acknowledging their role in establishing enduring institutions and infrastructure that continue to benefit the region and the country at large.
“Let me, at this point, pay well-deserved tribute to the visionary leaders of the old Western Region who established enduring institutions and development assets that have continued to serve generations,” he said.
“They, undoubtedly, understood that sustainable development required long-term thinking, strategic investment, and collective action. Their foresight laid the foundation for many of the economic and social achievements that continue to distinguish this region today.”he added
The President further highlighted ongoing economic reforms being implemented by his administration, noting that they were aimed at addressing structural challenges and laying the groundwork for a more resilient economy.
“My presence here will not be complete if I fail to remind you, as stakeholders, that Nigeria is undergoing a significant transformation. We have confronted difficult structural challenges that constrained growth and investment for many years,” he said.
“The reforms we have undertaken are laying the foundation for a stronger, more competitive and more resilient economy.”
Tinubu pointed to improving investor confidence, increasing strategic investments, and renewed momentum in key sectors as evidence that the reforms were beginning to yield positive outcomes.
“Our foreign reserves have also attained the highest level in the last two decades,” he added.
Describing the rehabilitated Premier Hotel as a symbol of renewed optimism, the President said the project represents confidence in Nigeria’s future and the opportunities it offers.
“The newly transformed Premier Hotel is itself a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s future. It represents optimism, enterprise and belief in the opportunities ahead,” he said.
“As we celebrate this milestone, I encourage investors across the country and beyond to continue investing in Nigeria. Our nation offers tremendous opportunities, and our government remains committed to creating the conditions necessary for businesses to succeed,” he said.
