Parents and community members in Mussa and Lassa, Askira/Uba local government area of Borno State, have issued a six-day ultimatum to the federal government to rescue 78 schoolchildren abducted by Boko Haram terrorists. The children, comprising 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School and 36 students and a teacher from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, have spent over 130 days in captivity. The parents, joined by community members and children, staged a protest in the Mussa community of Askira-Uba, defying heavy rainfall.
The Chairman of the Mussa and Lassa Parents of Abductees, Ishaku Wabba, expressed anguish over the lack of information on the whereabouts of their children. He questioned why children abducted in Oyo State were quickly rescued while Borno children remain in captivity. Wabba warned that if the children are not rescued within six days, they will stage a protest at the Presidential Villa gate in Abuja. The parents are demanding the President take immediate action to rescue their children, stressing that they too are Nigerians and citizens of the country.
Maria Timothy, a mother of one of the abducted students, pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to have mercy on them and intensify action towards the speedy and safe return of their children. The parents are crying out to the President, emphasizing that they are citizens of Nigeria and not foreigners. They urged the government to ensure that their children, abducted for so long, are quickly rescued from their captors.
Member Representing Askira-Uba/ Hawul Federal Constituency, Hon Midala Usman Balami, called on the Federal and Borno State governments to put resources and intelligence together towards rescuing the schoolchildren. He further called for the deployment of more security personnel to intensify surveillance and protection of Mussa, Lassa, Dille, and other communities, including Ngulde and other wards in Askira-Uba that have proximity with the Sambisa forest.
The Emir of Uba, Ali Samaila Mamza 11, appealed to the Federal, Borno State, and local governments, including the media, to work in collaboration towards the safe return of the schoolchildren and other captives. The communities urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene as quickly as possible so that their children will return unhurt. The situation remains dire, with the children having spent over four months in captivity.
The abduction of the schoolchildren has sparked widespread concern and outrage, with many calling for immediate action to rescue them. The parents and community members are determined to take further action if their demands are not met, including staging a protest at the Presidential Villa. The government has been urged to take a proactive approach to addressing the security situation in Borno State and the wider region.
The six-day ultimatum has been issued, and the clock is ticking for the government to respond. The fate of the 78 schoolchildren remains uncertain, and the nation waits with bated breath for their safe return. The government's response will be crucial in determining the outcome of this situation, and the parents and community members are eagerly awaiting their next move.
Key points
- Parents in Borno State have given the federal government six days to rescue 78 schoolchildren abducted by Boko Haram terrorists.
- The children have spent over 130 days in captivity, sparking widespread concern and outrage.
- The parents have threatened to stage a protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja if their demands are not met.
