More than 40 schoolchildren abducted over three months ago in Mussa community of Askira-Uba council area in Borno are still held hostage by terrorists.
Abducted on May 15, the same day 46 schoolchildren and teachers were kidnapped in Oyo state, Monday marked 101 days that the Borno schoolchildren have been held hostages. The Oyo schoolchildren have since been released.
Parents of the abducted students have held a series of protests, demanding the safe return of their children since their mass kidnapping over three months ago.
On Saturday, they converged at Uba, the headquarters of Askira-Uba council area of Borno, demanding that their wards be rescued. Holding pink placards with ‘Bring Back Our children Mussa’ inscription, they protested in demand for their children held in captivity for over three months.
“On behalf of the government and people of Borno, I once again extend my sympathies over what happened at Mussa Central Primary School. “Also, on behalf of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I want to sympathise with you,” said Governor Babagana Zulum over the weekend. “I want to assure you that Mr President has since directed security agencies to ensure the rescue of our children, and I believe they are working to ensure their rescue.”
The presidency has been contacted for comments.
Meanwhile, UNICEF and Amnesty International have expressed worry over mass kidnapping of students in Borno and other parts of Nigeria.
“We are worried about the abduction of children, not only in Borno State but in Nigeria at large. School should be a safe place for them. They come here to learn and grow themselves.
“However, it is a complex issue which is related to the overall security situation in the country. We are advocating for all the partners involved and joining voices to release those children,” UNICEF Nigeria’s deputy representative, Rownak Khan, at a media briefing on 2026 World Humanitarian Day in Maiduguri, said.
Amnesty International noted that schools should be places of safety, and no child should have to choose between their education and their life.
“The protection of children’s lives is paramount, and the Nigerian government has a duty to ensure that the country’s educational sector is not further threatened by armed groups on rampage across the north,” Amnesty International said in a statement on Friday.
