Parents and community members from Mussa and Lassa in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have threatened to protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Their children have been in Boko Haram captivity for over 130 days. The families expressed frustration over the government's perceived inaction in Askira Uba. The children were abducted on May 15, 2026, during a wave of kidnappings that included 44 children from Mussa Ward and 36 from Lassa schools.
The abduction occurred on the same day that terrorists kidnapped over 40 students and teachers in Oriire LGA of Oyo State. The Oyo victims were rescued after 56 days in captivity. Ishaku Suya, chairman of the Borno pupils' parents, led the protest and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct security agencies to secure the release of the children. Suya issued an emotional appeal, stating that the parents would take over the streets of the presidential villa if their children are not rescued.
A grieving mother, Josphin Yohanna, lamented the disparity in the government's response to the abduction of school children in different regions. She noted that the swift rescue of abducted children in Oyo State was proof that the Federal Government has the operational capacity to act decisively. Yohanna questioned why similar urgency was not extended to the children in the northeast, stating that they are equally Nigerians.
The acting district head of Lassa, Wadzani Hammatu, expressed frustration over the abduction of mostly toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3. He pleaded with the government to rescue the children, stating that the issue is becoming unbearable. The Emir of Uba, Ali Samaila Mamza, appealed to the federal, state, and local governments to put more effort into ensuring the safe return of the children.
Dr. Midala Usman Balami, the House of Representatives member representing Askira/Uba and Hawul Federal Constituency, condemned the prolonged silence and lack of concrete action. He noted that the victims have suffered for over four months and revealed that he had moved a motion regarding the tragedy in the National Assembly. Balami urged both the Federal and Borno State governments to deploy all available security resources to rescue the children.
Another parent, Buba, stated that parents have heard enough from the government and can no longer remain silent. He noted that their children were abducted at the same time as those in Oyo, but the Oyo children were rescued because they defied the government's call to be patient. Buba emphasized that there would be no going back on the six-day ultimatum, and the parents would protest at the presidential villa.
Security analysts note that a mass protest by displaced and aggrieved parents at the seat of government in Abuja would present a significant security and political challenge for the administration. Maj-Gen Umar I. Mohammed (rtd.) called on the Federal Government to demonstrate the same level of urgency and commitment to crisis-affected communities in Borno State as it showed in the rescue of the school children in Oyo State. He emphasized that safeguarding the welfare and security of all citizens remains the primary responsibility of any government.
Key points
- The parents of the abducted Borno children have given the government a six-day ultimatum to rescue their children.
- The abduction of the Borno children occurred on the same day as the kidnapping of over 40 students and teachers in Oyo State.
- The government has been criticized for its perceived inaction and disparity in response to the abductions in different regions.
