President Bola Tinubu has assured residents of Oyo State that pupils and teachers abducted from three primary schools in Oriire Local Government Area will be rescued safely, saying the Federal Government is deploying every available measure to secure their release.
Speaking on Thursday during the inauguration of the remodelled Premier Hotel in Ibadan, the President said his administration remained committed to tackling insecurity across the country through improved intelligence, stronger security operations and international collaboration.
The schoolchildren and their teachers were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.
Reassuring residents of Oyo State and the South-West, Tinubu said the Federal Government was taking the issue seriously.
"I want to assure the good people of Oyo State and indeed the South-West that the Federal Government is fully committed to securing the release of the abducted pupils and teachers. We are also intensifying efforts to address banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality across the country," he said.
The President urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing useful information that could help prevent crime.
He also called on traditional rulers and religious leaders to play active roles in promoting peace and supporting security efforts within their communities.
According to Tinubu, sustained economic growth can only be achieved in a peaceful and secure environment, stressing that his administration has continued to invest heavily in strengthening the nation's security architecture.
He said government has improved collaboration among security agencies, expanded surveillance technology, strengthened community-based security initiatives and increased support for the armed forces and other security organisations.
Tinubu also disclosed that the National Assembly was currently considering legislation aimed at strengthening policing across the country.
"There is an ongoing process in the National Assembly to improve policing at all levels, and we hope to implement it very soon," he said.
The President noted that the government's security measures were already producing positive results in several parts of the country and pledged to sustain the momentum until Nigerians could live, work and do business without fear.
Beyond security, Tinubu described the renovated Premier Hotel as a symbol of Nigeria's commitment to preserving its heritage while embracing modern development.
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He praised the founding leaders of the old Western Region for establishing enduring institutions and urged South-West governors to protect and build on that legacy through strategic investments and regional cooperation.
Tinubu also highlighted his administration's economic reforms, saying they were laying the foundation for sustainable growth, attracting investors and improving the country's business environment.
He encouraged both local and foreign investors to take advantage of the opportunities in Nigeria, assuring them that the government remained committed to creating an environment where businesses could thrive.
Speaking earlier, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Misbau Babatunde, described the reopening of the Premier Hotel as a major milestone in restoring one of the state's most iconic landmarks.
Also speaking, Chairman of Odu'a Investment Company Limited, Bimbo Ashiru, said the hotel had long served as a symbol of excellence in hospitality across West Africa and expressed confidence that its redevelopment would once again position it as a leading destination for business and tourism.
