By Abiola Ogundeko | Wednesday, May 27, 2026.
The Management and Staff of First Heritage Culture and Hospitality Limited join millions of Nigerians and the global community in commemorating the 2026 Children’s Day celebration. On this significant occasion dedicated to honouring the dreams, innocence, potential, and future of children, we celebrate every Nigerian child and pray for many fruitful years filled with happiness, sound health, peace, education, protection, and prosperity. Children remain the hope of every nation, the pride of every family, and the foundation upon which a better society must be built.
However, this year’s Children’s Day celebration is deeply overshadowed by anguish, sorrow, fear, and national pain following the recent abduction of innocent schoolchildren in parts of Nigeria. It is heartbreaking that while children across the world are expected to celebrate in safety and joy, many Nigerian children are currently trapped in fear and uncertainty in the hands of abductors. The horrifying attacks carried out on May 15, 2026, in Oyo State and Borno State have once again exposed the frightening vulnerability of schoolchildren and the painful insecurity confronting families and communities across the nation.
In Oyo State, armed gunmen reportedly attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Esiele community of Oriire Local Government Area, abducting dozens of pupils, students, and teachers. Similarly, in Borno State, suspected militants invaded Central Primary School and a junior secondary school in Mussa village, Askira-Uba Local Government Area, forcefully taking dozens of innocent children from classrooms and nearby homes. These tragic incidents are not merely attacks on schools; they are attacks on humanity, education, childhood innocence, and the future of Nigeria itself.
First Heritage Culture and Hospitality Limited strongly condemns these cruel and inhumane acts. The emotional and psychological consequences of such kidnappings are devastating and long-lasting. Many of the abducted children are innocent, helpless, voiceless, terrified, and uncertain about their fate. Beyond the physical danger they face, the trauma inflicted upon them may remain with them for years. Equally heartbreaking is the agony being endured by parents, guardians, relatives, and loved ones who wake and sleep daily in tears, fear, anxiety, emotional breakdown, and hopelessness over the whereabouts and safety of their children. No parent should ever experience the nightmare of not knowing whether their child is alive, safe, hungry, injured, or emotionally broken in captivity.
As an organisation deeply committed to humanity, community development, cultural preservation, and social responsibility, we stand in solidarity with the affected families and communities during this painful period. We share in their grief, fears, prayers, and hopes for the safe return of every abducted child.
We therefore passionately call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, alongside the Governors of the affected states and all relevant security agencies, to intensify immediate and coordinated rescue efforts aimed at securing the unconditional release of these innocent children and their teachers. The protection of children must remain a national priority and a moral responsibility of government at all levels.
Furthermore, we urge the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders, religious organisations, and civil society groups to strengthen security around schools and vulnerable communities across the country. Educational institutions must never become hunting grounds for criminals and terrorists. Nigerian children deserve to learn, grow, dream, and live without fear.
On this solemn Children’s Day, we pray for divine protection over every Nigerian child and fervently hope for the immediate rescue and safe reunion of all abducted children with their families. We Call for the Immediate Release of the Innocent Abducted Schoolchildren.
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