The Presidency has defended its decision to withhold detailed information on ongoing rescue efforts following recent school kidnappings in Oyo State, insisting that operational secrecy is necessary to protect victims and security personnel.
The Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, said releasing sensitive details of rescue missions publicly could jeopardize ongoing operations, as armed groups are also active online and monitoring public conversations.
His response came amid growing public criticism over the handling of the abductions, with many Nigerians demanding clearer communication and updates from the government.
Olusegun defended the government’s communication strategy, arguing that public disclosure of operational details could endanger abducted victims.
“The kidnappers are on social media with us and follow trends to get updates,” he said. “You cannot expect the government to update rescue plans on social media if you truly care about the children.”
He stressed that security agencies must be allowed to operate without interference, adding that excessive public commentary could undermine their efforts.
“I understand your anger, but a large bulk of it should be reserved for the cowardly terrorists who use children as human shields,” he added. “These kids have to be rescued alive.”
Responding to concerns about sanctions for those spreading false information during security crises, Olusegun clarified that his role is limited to countering misinformation online.
“It is not my job to arrest or publicly state that anyone will be arrested,” he said. “Everyone does their part—mine is to debunk, while law enforcement handles enforcement.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has approved the immediate recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State as part of efforts to strengthen surveillance in forest corridors reportedly used by armed groups.
The decision follows the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, where one teacher was killed during the attack.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu said recruitment would begin in July 2026, with personnel drawn locally to support intelligence gathering and counter-bandit operations.
Authorities say the move is part of broader efforts to improve security response and prevent further attacks on schools in vulnerable communities.
