Tinubu under fire for neglecting 42 abducted pupils in Borno, prioritising Oyo
Parents of 42 pupils abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have accused President Bola Tinubu of neglecting the plight of their children who have been in captivity for over two weeks.
They said the President has shown more interest in securing the release of students abducted from his region and tribe rather than prioritising the issue of all abducted people.
The parents said that Tinubu has shown greater urgency in responding to the abduction in Oyo State.
Their complaints come as President Tinubu’s high-powered delegation visited affected communities in Oyo State, where gunmen abducted dozens of pupils and teachers on May 15.
In Borno, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School on the same day, abducting more than 42 children, including toddlers.
The attackers reportedly used the children as human shields while fleeing on motorcycles, preventing security operatives from opening fire.
Also on May 15, gunmen invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele, Oyo State, abducting pupils and teachers. One of the kidnapped teachers was later killed by his captors.
President Tinubu condemned the killing and announced measures to strengthen rescue efforts in Oyo, without mentioning efforts to rescue the 42 pupils in Borno.
The councillor representing Mussa Ward, Peter Haruna Waba, said residents felt abandoned and questioned why the Federal Government had not demonstrated similar commitment toward securing the release of the Borno pupils.
“Why should we be treated differently? We are Nigerians, and we voted for the president. The Federal Government should treat the abduction of our children with the same seriousness. Governor Zulum cannot do it alone,” he said.
One of the affected parents, Saleh Bala, said families in Mussa had been left in anguish for more than two weeks without any clear information about the whereabouts of their children.
“We feel abandoned. It is as if our children do not matter. Many of them are between two and five years old, and we have not seen any significant federal intervention aimed at bringing them home,” he said.
The Chairman of the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Borno State, Abubakar Suleiman, also said there has been little federal intervention since the abduction.
He further noted that hundreds of women and children abducted from Ngoshe in recent months were yet to be rescued.
Similarly, the President of the Borno South Youths Alliance Forum, Samaila Kaigama, urged political leaders in the state to intensify efforts to secure federal intervention.
“Over 40 students were kidnapped, yet the only visible response was the presentation of N10 million to traditional rulers in Askira Uba. The affected families want concrete action and the safe return of their children,” he said.
Kaigama said every Nigerian life should receive equal attention regardless of region, warning that perceptions of unequal treatment could deepen feelings of marginalisation.
