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On May 27th, Nigeria observed Childrenβs Day. At SPDS Foundation, we had a post prepared, filled with bright colors and words of celebration. We did not publish it.It did not feel right to celebrate when thirty-nine pupils and seven teachers, abducted from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15th, were still missing. It did not feel right when families were grieving Mr. Michael Oyedokun, the brave Mathematics teacher killed in captivity while protecting his students.
Today is the 1st of June, 2026, and they are still not home.
Children who should be protected under the warmth of parental care, enjoying their basic rights to safety, shelter, and education, are currently exposed to unimaginable terror. Teachers and guardians, who dedicate their lives to nurturing the future leaders of our country, are trapped in captivity away from their own families.
As a mental health organization, we know that this is not just a security emergency; it is a severe psychological crisis. The trauma of abduction does not end when a survivor walks through a gate. Often, the deepest emotional wounds emerge only when the body finally reaches safety and drops its survival defense mechanisms. Extreme anxiety, flashbacks, depression, and severe PTSD are real injuries that require intentional, patient, and professional psychological care.
We also want to acknowledge the invisible victims: the parents carrying a weight too heavy for words, the siblings looking at empty chairs, and the citizens watching from afar who feel heartbroken and helpless. Collective grief is real. You are allowed to not be okay right now.
When these children and teachers come home and we hold firmly to the conviction that π§πππ¬ πͺπππ, the work of healing must begin immediately. They will need long-term patience, professional care, and a safe space to process what they have endured.
SPDS Foundation remains committed to supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing of Nigerians through our darkest moments. If the weight of this situation or personal challenges is too much to bear, please do not carry it alone. Reach out to our counselors today.
Nigeria: +234 802 805 7889. USA: +1 (773) 344-6313.
Bring them home
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