The Child Protection Network Nigeria, in collaboration with a coalition of non-governmental organisations, has called for urgent strengthening of child protection systems across the country.
This is as they urged federal and state authorities to establish sustainable structures for the safety, rescue, and reintegration of abducted students and teachers.
The Oyo State Coordinator of CPN, Rosemary Odigbo, made the call on Thursday during a press briefing held at the organisation’s secretariat in Ikolaba, Ibadan.
Her call is against the backdrop of the abduction of pupils and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle; and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, on May 15, 2026.
The CPN coordinator urged the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies and relevant institutions to intensify efforts aimed at securing the safe and speedy return of all abducted persons.
“We cannot allow such incidents to become accepted as part of everyday life. Every child deserves to learn without fear, and every teacher deserves to carry out their duties in safety and dignity,” she said.
She also called for strengthened inter-agency collaboration involving the military, police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, local security structures and community stakeholders, in the rescue of the abducted persons.
“We call on all relevant stakeholders to continue deploying every available resource and strategy towards securing the safe and speedy return of all students and teachers still in captivity,” she said.
Odigbo further urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies to scale up efforts in creating safe and supportive learning environments across all 774 local government areas of the country.
She specifically appealed to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion at both federal and state levels to begin developing post-rescue support systems for affected children and teachers.
“We also call on Ministries, Departments and Agencies on the provision of safe and supportive environment for learning across the 774 Local Government Areas,” she stated.
“While appreciating the visits, concern, and assurances provided by Governor Seyi Makinde and the Federal delegation, we encourage continued and strengthened collaboration among security agencies and community stakeholders,” she added.
Odigbo assured that CPN and its partner organisations were ready to support government efforts through technical assistance, child protection interventions and psychosocial services.
According to her, such structures should include psychosocial support, trauma care, rehabilitation services and reintegration programmes to aid recovery once the abducted victims are rescued.
“We further encourage the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion to begin putting the necessary structures in place to provide a safe and supportive environment for the children and teachers upon their return,” she said.
“We are strategically positioned and ready to collaborate in providing technical support, psychosocial care, rehabilitation services, child protection interventions, and reintegration support throughout the recovery process,” she said.
She warned that rising insecurity was already affecting school attendance and learning outcomes, insisting that the situation required collective and sustained action from all stakeholders.
“When safety concerns begin to affect children’s access to education, it becomes a matter that requires the collective attention and commitment of all stakeholders,” she added.
Odigbo said the emotional and psychological trauma caused by the abductions extended beyond the victims to families, teachers, classmates and entire communities.
“The emotional and psychological impact on the affected children, their families, fellow students, teachers, and communities cannot be overstated,” she said.
Odigbo said schools must be treated as “sacred spaces” under existing child protection laws, stressing that no child should be deprived of education or forced to learn in fear.
“We wish to emphasise that schools are sacred spaces. Under the Child Rights Law of Oyo State and the Child Rights Act of Nigeria, every child has the right to education in an environment that is safe, secure, and conducive to learning,” she said.
She also expressed solidarity with families of the abducted victims, assuring them that civil society organisations would continue to advocate for the safe return of the missing children and teachers.
The PUNCH reports that over 40 students and teachers were abducted during the attack on schools in Oriire LGA on May 15, 2026.
It would also be recalled that a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State, Wale Oriade, was abducted in December 2025 in Ibadan, while twin children and a sibling of a former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, were also kidnapped in a separate incident in the state.
The incidents have continued to heighten concerns over insecurity and the safety of schools and communities across the state.
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