FG Assures Safe Return of Abducted Schoolchildren

On Tuesday, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Imaan Sulaiman Ibrahim, condemned the recent abductions of schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno States, describing these acts as direct assaults on the nation's future and security. The minister assured affected families and communities of the government's commitment to ensuring the safe return of all abducted children.

She emphasized that insecurity remains a major threat to children's welfare, with ongoing challenges such as poverty, trafficking, and violence. The government is intensifying efforts to strengthen child protection systems, including operationalizing a national strategy to end child marriage by 2030 and reviewing policies to eliminate child trafficking.

Ibrahim revealed that 36 states have domesticated the Child Rights Act, and the government has resolved 8,000 child abuse cases in the past year. Additionally, a national child online protection framework was launched to combat digital exploitation.

The minister called for increased investment in child protection and education from state governments and other stakeholders.