Reality star Mercy Eke has questioned the safety and happiness of Nigerian children on Children’s Day 2026, following reports of mass abductions of students and teachers in Oyo State.
In a post shared on social media on May 27, the Big Brother Naija winner wrote, “Children’s Day; but are the children even SAFE or HAPPY?” Her message captured the frustration many Nigerians felt as the country marked a day meant to celebrate children amid ongoing insecurity.
Mercy Eke’s statement joined a wave of reactions from entertainers including Toke Makinwa, Paul Okoye, Ruth Kadiri, Patience Ozokwor, Tayo Sobola, and Chiwetalu Agu. The celebrities used the hashtag #BringBackOurStudents to demand urgent government action and the safe return of the abducted children and teachers.
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Celebrities described this year’s Children’s Day as painful and heartbreaking, with many pointing to the contradiction of celebrating childhood while students remain in captivity. The outcry has renewed calls for stronger measures to protect schools and communities in affected states.
For Mercy Eke, the question cut to the core of the moment. Her post resonated widely online, as Nigerians debated how the nation could honor Children’s Day when many children are still missing and living in fear.
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