By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has charged troops of Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to intensify military operations aimed at decisively eliminating kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements threatening peace and security in the North Central region.

Lieutenant General Shaibu gave the directive on Thursday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Kwara State.

Addressing the troops, the Army Chief reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property across the country.

He noted that troops have continued to sustain operational momentum designed to deny criminal groups the freedom to terrorize innocent citizens, infiltrate communities or undermine national security.

He assured the personnel that the Army Headquarters was deploying the necessary combat enablers and operational resources to strengthen ongoing clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts in Kwara and Niger states.

Lieutenant General Shaibu also reiterated his commitment to the welfare of troops and their families, describing improved welfare as essential to maintaining high morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.

He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as the democratically elected government.

Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Joint Task Force North Central Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Major General Y Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership, timely interventions and sustained support towards improving the operational capacity of the task force.

Major General Yahaya assured the Army Chief that troops under the operation would remain committed and steadfast in carrying out their mandate of restoring lasting peace and stability across the region.

By David Torough, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu and governors of Oyo and Ogun states on Wednesday intensified efforts to address growing concerns over school insecurity following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, with renewed assurances that the victims would be rescued safely.

In a Children’s Day message personally signed by him, President Tinubu assured parents and families of children being held captive in Oyo and Borno states that his administration would not relent until the victims regained freedom.

The President disclosed that he had directed security agencies to intensify intelligence-driven rescue operations across the country, stressing that the safety of schoolchildren remained a top priority of his administration.

Tinubu also announced plans to strengthen school protection mechanisms in vulnerable communities through improved security coordination, early warning systems and implementation of the Safe Schools framework.

He assured that rescued children would receive medical care, counselling, education support and reintegration assistance, insisting that the government’s responsibility did not end with securing their release.

The President urged parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, vigilante groups and community members to work closely with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements around schools and communities.

Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, reassured families of abducted teachers and students that efforts were ongoing to secure their safe return.

Makinde spoke during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration at his private residence in Ikolaba, Ibadan, where he received the state Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, and other Muslim faithful.

The governor said his administration was working round the clock to reunite the abducted victims with their families, while expressing sympathy with affected families and praying for divine intervention.

Scores of pupils and teachers were abducted during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Makinde also called for unity, tolerance and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians ahead of the political season, warning against the use of religion and ethnicity as divisive tools.

In a related development, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, announced plans to strengthen security around schools across the state to forestall similar attacks.

Speaking while hosting the League of Imams and Alfas at his Iperu residence during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Abiodun said the state would deploy security agencies, Amotekun Corps, So-Safe Corps, hunters and vigilante groups to protect schools.

The governor said the initiative became necessary following recent attacks on schools in neighbouring Oyo State, where dozens of students and teachers were abducted.

Abiodun disclosed that traditional rulers, religious leaders and local security outfits would be integrated into the security architecture to improve surveillance and rapid response around schools.

He added that the government would provide stipends to support the security initiative and ensure immediate implementation across the state.

The governor stressed that while prayers remained important, practical steps were necessary to secure educational institutions and protect children from emerging security threats.

From Muhammad Muhammad Al-amin, Maiduguri

The Borno State Government has temporarily closed Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, in Askira/Uba Local Government Area after suspected insurgents abducted 42 children from the community.

The decision was announced by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, Lawan Wakilbe, during a government delegation’s visit to the affected area on Monday.

According to the governor’s spokesperson, Dauda Illiya, the visit was part of ongoing efforts by the state government to respond to the attack and reassure residents of intensified measures aimed at rescuing the abducted students.

Before arriving in Mussa, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Uba, Alhaji Ali Ibn Ismaila Mamza II, at his palace in Uba.

In Mussa, the team met with the Commanding Officer of the 115 Battalion, Askira, Lt. Col. Ishola Olufisola, alongside community leaders and parents of the abducted children.

During an interactive session with families of the victims, Wakilbe conveyed the sympathy of the Borno State Government and assured residents that security agencies were working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the children.

He reiterated Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s commitment to protecting students and improving security in schools across the state.

As part of immediate safety measures under the Safe Schools Initiative, the commissioner ordered the temporary closure of Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, and approved the relocation of students to Government Secondary School, Uba, where learning would continue under tighter security.

Speaking on behalf of affected families, Ishaku Jidaye commended the governor for his swift response to the incident but appealed for stronger efforts to secure the release of the abducted children, noting that families were facing emotional and psychological distress.

The delegation also visited Dille and Lassa communities to assess security conditions and evaluate the safety of public schools in the affected areas.

During the inspection, officials directed that all Safe School Initiative measures be fully implemented pending further government directives.

The team also inspected several educational facilities, including the ongoing Government Secondary School project in Uvu, High Islamic College in Uba, the wind-damaged Government Day Secondary School in Rumirgo, and boarding facilities at Government Secondary School, Uba, where relocated students are expected to continue their studies.

The delegation included the Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Council, Mada Saidu; Education Secretary of Askira/Uba LGA, Fatsuma Adamu Askira; Education Secretary of Gwoza LGA, Dr. Habila Putaya; Zonal Director of Education, Uba Zone, Tijjani Saleh Chul; and Hon. Luka Apagu.

The abduction occurred on May 16 when suspected Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

According to Senator Ali Ndume, the victims included four secondary school students, 28 primary school pupils, and 10 children taken from nearby homes, bringing the total number of abducted persons to 42.