FG Vows to Crush Terrorists, Rescue Abducted Pupils in Oyo, Borno

The Federal Government on Thursday launched a renewed nationwide offensive against terrorism and kidnapping, declaring that all necessary force would be deployed to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo and Borno States.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly ordered the deployment of a specialised rescue team and approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security across vulnerable and forested communities prone to criminal activity.

Speaking at a national security briefing tagged #UniteAgainstTerror in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the recent abductions represented a direct attack on Nigeria’s future and would be met with decisive state action.

He delivered the President’s message, stressing that “no child belongs in captivity” and assuring families that the safe return of all abducted victims remained the government’s highest priority.

According to him, all security and intelligence agencies have been mobilised, with coordinated operations already underway involving intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, and ground search-and-rescue missions in affected areas of Oyo and Borno States.

Idris said the administration is adopting an intelligence-driven security strategy alongside broader reforms aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s security architecture, including plans for institutionalised state policing.

He noted that recent military operations across the country had led to the neutralisation of hundreds of terrorists and bandits, as well as the rescue of multiple kidnapped victims in various theatres of operation.

The minister also referenced ongoing prosecutions, stating that 508 terrorism-related cases had been handled, resulting in 386 convictions, while over 500 suspects are currently facing trial for terrorism-related offences.

He further highlighted military gains in the North-East, including operations under Operation Hadin Kai, where troops reportedly killed dozens of insurgents and disrupted terrorist activities along key corridors in Borno State.

Idris said intensified operations across the North-West and North-Central regions have also led to the destruction of criminal camps and arrests of suspected bandit leaders, while coordinated maritime security efforts have boosted crude oil output in the Niger Delta.

He added that collaboration with international partners, including the United States, has strengthened intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism capacity, and border security operations.

On the judicial front, he referenced the death sentence handed to four terrorists involved in the 2022 Owo church attack, describing it as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.

While urging national unity under the #UniteAgainstTerror campaign, Idris warned against misinformation, saying terrorists exploit fear and division to weaken public confidence and national cohesion.

He called on Nigerians and the media to support ongoing operations responsibly, stressing that military action alone is not enough without economic reforms, infrastructure development, and improved opportunities to address the root causes of insecurity.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to defeating terrorism, rescuing abducted citizens, and restoring safety across affected regions, insisting that every available resource is being deployed toward achieving those objectives.