Concerned citizens from Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have called on President Bola Tinubu, Governor Babagana Zulum and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue schoolchildren and a teacher abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities.
The group made the appeal during a world press conference in Abuja, expressing concern that the victims had remained in captivity for 139 days.
Speaking on behalf of the group, its spokesperson, Malla Apagu Gadzama, described the continued captivity of the children and their teacher as distressing, saying the incident had caused severe emotional and psychological trauma for affected families.
Under the theme, “Bring Our Children Home,” the group said the abductions had left parents and entire communities in anguish and uncertainty, urging the authorities to make the safe return of the victims an urgent priority.
According to the group, 42 nursery and primary school pupils were abducted from Mussa community on May 15, 2026.
It added that another 36 students and a teacher were abducted from a day secondary school in Lassa community on June 29, 2026, while the students were taking their National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations.
The group lamented that the victims, including young children, had remained in captivity, describing their abduction from educational institutions as a painful reminder of the security challenges confronting school communities.
“What was their crime? Is it now a crime to go to school? Must the pursuit of education expose a child to captivity?” the group asked.
It said the abducted pupils were not merely statistics in security reports but children whose families, relatives and communities were anxiously awaiting their safe return.
While acknowledging government assurances and the sacrifices of security personnel, the group stressed that concrete action, regular communication and sustained rescue operations were urgently needed.
It appealed to President Tinubu and Governor Zulum to mobilise the necessary security and intelligence resources to secure the release of the victims.
The group also urged political representatives from Askira/Uba and Borno State to sustain advocacy for the victims.
It specifically called on the Chairman of Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Hon. Mada; the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Engr. Abdullahi; the member representing Askira/Uba and Hawul Federal Constituency, Hon. Dr. Midala Balami; and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume to use their respective offices to push for urgent intervention.
The group further appealed to the Borno State Commissioner for Education to work with relevant authorities to secure the victims’ release, support affected families and strengthen security around schools.
Group’s Demands
The concerned citizens outlined several demands, including urgent, coordinated and sustained efforts by federal and state authorities and security agencies to rescue the abducted pupils, their teacher and other persons still in captivity.
They also called for clear responsibilities and effective cooperation among relevant authorities, as well as regular and transparent communication with affected families without compromising ongoing rescue operations.
Other demands include immediate psychosocial and welfare support for affected families, medical care and rehabilitation for rescued victims, and educational assistance to help the children resume their studies.
The group also urged the government to strengthen security around vulnerable schools and communities to prevent further abductions.
It reiterated that the safe return of the Mussa and Lassa schoolchildren and their teacher must remain a national priority, insisting that the affected families should not be left to endure their ordeal without sustained government attention.
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