'They Are Innocent Children, Not Politicians' — Borno Leaders Make Emotional Plea for Release of 42 Abducted Pupils

June 9, 2026

Three Weeks in Captivity: Anxiety Deepens as Community Leaders Beg Terrorists to Free Schoolchildren

Stakeholders in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have made a passionate appeal to the abductors of 42 schoolchildren, urging them to release the victims unconditionally after nearly three weeks in captivity.

The emotional appeal was led by the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, who spoke on behalf of community leaders, traditional rulers, parents, and concerned residents in Maiduguri on Monday. The stakeholders described the continued detention of the children as heartbreaking and unacceptable, stressing that the victims are innocent pupils whose only crime was attending school.

The schoolchildren were abducted on May 16, 2026, when suspected Boko Haram terrorists reportedly attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area. Since then, families of the victims have been trapped in uncertainty, desperately waiting for positive news about the fate of their children.

Addressing journalists, Askira said the prolonged captivity has plunged families and the entire community into deep emotional pain and psychological distress.

According to him, every passing day without the children's return has increased fear and anxiety among parents who continue to live with the trauma of not knowing the condition of their sons and daughters.

“We passionately appeal to the conscience of those behind this heinous act. These are children, not soldiers, not politicians, and not combatants. They are innocent young people who represent the future of Borno State and Nigeria as a whole,” Askira said.

“Children should never be used as bargaining tools or subjected to the horrors of captivity. We urge the abductors to fear Almighty God and release them immediately and unconditionally.”

The lawmaker revealed that community leaders had deliberately maintained silence since the abduction, believing that government authorities and security agencies were working tirelessly behind the scenes to secure the release of the victims.

However, he noted that after three agonising weeks, the patience of the people has gradually turned into fear and concern.

“As stakeholders, we have remained patient and restrained because we trusted that the government and our gallant security personnel were doing everything possible to bring our children home safely. Unfortunately, the prolonged silence and continued captivity of these children have heightened anxiety across our communities,” he stated.

Despite the growing concerns, Askira commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for their efforts in addressing insecurity and supporting affected families.

He praised President Tinubu for sustaining military operations against insurgents across the country and acknowledged Governor Zulum’s swift response following the attack.

The Deputy Speaker recalled that Governor Zulum personally visited Askira/Uba shortly after the incident to sympathise with grieving families and reassure them that the government would not relent in its efforts to secure the children's freedom.

“We commend the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continued commitment to restoring peace and security across Nigeria. We also appreciate Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for standing with the affected families during this difficult period and for his determination to ensure the safe return of the victims,” he said.

Beyond the immediate rescue efforts, the stakeholders called for stronger security measures in Askira/Uba and other vulnerable communities bordering the Sambisa Forest.

According to them, the council’s geographical location places it at constant risk of attacks from insurgent groups who have historically used parts of the forest as operational hideouts.

The community leaders urged the Federal Government, military authorities, and security agencies to establish a more robust and permanent security framework in the area to prevent future attacks on schools and communities.

Their recommendations include the deployment of additional troops, establishment of forward operating bases, strengthening of school security infrastructure, creation of rapid-response units, and increased surveillance patrols around vulnerable settlements.

“Askira/Uba shares immediate borders with the fringes of the Sambisa Forest, making our communities particularly exposed to security threats. We need a permanent and fortified security architecture that will guarantee the safety of our people and ensure that such tragic incidents never happen again,” Askira added.

The abduction has once again reignited fears over the safety of schools across Nigeria’s North-East region, where insurgency-related violence has disrupted education for more than a decade.

Thousands of children in Borno and neighbouring states have been displaced, forced out of classrooms, or exposed to traumatic experiences due to persistent attacks by extremist groups.

Security agencies are reportedly continuing efforts to locate and rescue the abducted pupils. However, as the days pass without a breakthrough, pressure is mounting on authorities to intensify rescue operations and bring the children home safely.

For the families of the 42 victims, each day represents another painful wait. Their hope remains that the children will soon be reunited with their loved ones and allowed to return to the classrooms from which they were violently taken.

Until then, the voices of parents, community leaders, and concerned Nigerians continue to echo one simple message: the children are innocent and deserve to be brought home immediately.