Bring back our children, families of abducted Borno pupils beg Tinubu

The families of schoolchildren and victims abducted in Borno State have urgently pleaded with President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babagana Zulum to expedite efforts to secure their release, which have been in captivity for 100 days. On May 15, 2026, 42 pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Day Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area were abducted, followed by 36 students from Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, on June 29 during their NECO examinations.

Additionally, 38 people were abducted along the Buratai Road to Maiduguri, and others were taken on the Chibok route and in other parts of the state. At a press conference, Mr. Malla Gadzama, the Secretary of the Hawul/Askira-Uba Elders Forum, expressed the families' prolonged pain, fear, and uncertainty, emphasizing the need for urgent action.

The families urged the President and Governor to deploy all available security resources to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims and commended the Oyo State rescue operation, urging the Federal Government to replicate its successful strategy. They demanded regular, transparent communication, stronger protection for schools, roads, and vulnerable communities, and a properly funded and executed national rescue operation.

The families stressed that these are real people, not statistics, and assured that their pain is shared and their children are in their prayers.