The administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that all abducted schoolchildren and teachers currently held by terrorists will be rescued safely.

The assurance was given on Thursday by Mohammed Idris during a press conference in Abuja, where he said the Federal Government had made the safe return of the victims a matter of urgent national importance.

According to the minister, the government remains fully committed to securing the release of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State and Borno State.

He stated that President Tinubu had directed security agencies to deploy every available resource toward the rescue mission.

“President Tinubu has made it clear that no child belongs in captivity and that no effort will be spared in ensuring that those responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to justice,” Idris said.

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The minister disclosed that the President had approved the deployment of a specialised rescue team alongside coordinated operations involving multiple security and intelligence agencies.

According to him, agencies currently involved in the operation include the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the National Intelligence Agency, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Counter Terrorism Centre.

Idris noted that operational details could not be made public for security reasons but confirmed that intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, search-and-rescue operations and community engagement were ongoing without interruption.

“Operational details cannot be disclosed for security reasons. Intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, community engagement, and search-and-rescue operations are continuing without interruption,” he stated.

Speaking further, the minister said the Borno school abduction carried the familiar pattern of terrorist groups seeking to destabilise education and communities in the North-East.

He also recalled President Tinubu’s approval for the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards aimed at strengthening security around vulnerable communities and forest areas in Oyo State.

Idris explained that the current administration was pursuing a broader intelligence-led security strategy rather than relying solely on military force.

According to him, the strategy combines military pressure, intelligence coordination, technological support, regional cooperation and socio-economic interventions.

He added that one of the major goals of the Tinubu administration was the implementation of state policing as part of efforts to create a more flexible and responsive security structure in Nigeria.

The minister said Nigeria had recorded notable successes against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

He disclosed that hundreds of terrorists and criminal elements had either been neutralised, arrested or forced to surrender across different parts of the country.

According to him, nearly 1,000 terrorists, including several top commanders, were eliminated by Nigerian troops during the first quarter of 2026.

He also referenced the recent joint Nigeria-United States-backed operation that reportedly disrupted terrorist logistics networks and led to the elimination of key ISWAP commanders.

“Security forces additionally rescued 92 civilians from terrorist captivity near Buratai, while enhanced security deployments ensured that Eid-el-Kabir celebrations proceeded peacefully across key areas of the North-East,” Idris added.