Parents of 78 schoolchildren abducted in Borno State, Nigeria, have issued a six-day ultimatum to the federal government to rescue their children. 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 132 days in Boko Haram captivity. The parents, joined by community members, 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 their children. He questioned why children abducted in Oyo State were quickly rescued while the Borno students remain in captivity. Wabba warned that if the children are not rescued within six days, the parents will stage a protest at the Presidential Villa gate in Abuja.
The abduction occurred in two separate incidents, with 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School taken on May 15, 2022, and 36 students and a teacher from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, taken on June 29, 2022. The prolonged captivity has caused distress to the parents, who are urging the government to take immediate action.
Maria Timothy, a mother of one of the abducted students, pleaded with President Bola Tinubu to have mercy on them and intensify efforts towards the safe return of their children. The parents emphasized that they are citizens of Nigeria and deserve equal attention from the government.
Member representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, Hon Midala Usman Balami, called on the Federal and Borno State governments to pool resources and intelligence to rescue the schoolchildren. He also requested the deployment of more security personnel to intensify surveillance and protection of vulnerable communities.
The Emir of Uba, Ali Samaila Mamza II, appealed to the Federal, Borno State, and local governments, as well as the media, to collaborate towards the safe return of the schoolchildren and other captives. The communities are urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene quickly to ensure the children's safe return.
The protest and ultimatum issued by the parents reflect the growing frustration and desperation over the government's handling of the abduction. The federal government faces pressure to take decisive action to rescue the schoolchildren and restore security to the region.
Key points
- Parents of 78 schoolchildren abducted by Boko Haram give FG 6 days to rescue them or face protest at Presidential Villa.
- The schoolchildren have spent over 132 days in captivity, with 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School taken on May 15, 2022, and 36 students and a teacher from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, taken on June 29, 2022.
- The Emir of Uba and local representatives are calling for collaboration and increased security measures to rescue the schoolchildren.
