A coalition of parents, guardians, and community members in Mussa and Lassa towns of Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno state have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and secure the immediate release of their abducted school children. The parents, who staged a protest in Maiduguri, the state capital, are demanding the rescue of the children within six days. They warned that if the deadline is not met, they will stage a peaceful protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The abducted children have been in captivity since May 15, 2026, with a total of 44 children abducted in Mussa Ward, 36 in Lassa, and 36 travellers abducted on Buratai Road. Chairman of the Mussa Parents of Abductees, Shuibu Umaru, questioned why children abducted in Oyo State were rescued while those from Mussa and Lassa remained in captivity. Umaru emphasized that the parents will not agree to continue living in uncertainty and are demanding the government's immediate action.
Dr. Midala Usman Balami, a member representing Askira/Uba and Hawul Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, has called on the Federal and Borno State governments to deploy all available resources to rescue the abducted children. Balami noted that the children have been in captivity for over 130 days and moved a motion in the National Assembly to bring attention to the matter. He emphasized the need for collaboration between the Federal and state governments to ensure the safe release of the children.
Umaru reiterated the six-day ultimatum, warning that the parents will stage a bigger protest at the Presidential Villa if the government fails to rescue the children within the period. He stressed that the families can no longer remain silent over the prolonged captivity and demanded that the government take immediate action. The parents are calling on President Tinubu to fulfil his constitutional responsibility by ensuring the rescue of the abducted children.
The coalition of parents and community members is urging the government to take urgent action to rescue the abducted children. They emphasized that the children have suffered for too long and should be rescued and reunited with their families. The parents are also drawing attention to the disparity in the government's response to similar abductions in other states, such as Oyo.
The situation has sparked concerns about the security situation in Borno state and the government's response to the abduction of school children. The parents' demand for a six-day ultimatum and the threat of a peaceful protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja highlight the growing frustration and anxiety among the affected families.
The government's response to the abduction and the parents' demands will be crucial in determining the outcome of the situation. The Federal and state governments will need to work together to ensure the safe release of the abducted children and address the concerns of the affected families.
Key points
- The parents of the abducted school children are demanding their rescue within six days.
- The abducted children have been in captivity since May 15, 2026.
- The parents are threatening a peaceful protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja if the deadline is not met.
