Borno Community Renews Appeal to Tinubu, Zulum as 78 Abducted Schoolchildren Remain Unaccounted For

A community in Borno State has renewed its appeal to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Babagana Zulum to intensify efforts to rescue 78 schoolchildren reportedly abducted from Mussa and Lassa communities in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

The Margi community made the appeal during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, October 29, expressing concern over the prolonged captivity of the children and the uncertainty facing their families.

The community’s secretary, Malla Gadzama, called on the President to mobilise the necessary security and intelligence resources and improve coordination among the agencies involved in rescue efforts.

He also urged Governor Zulum to prioritise the victims’ safe return and establish a reliable channel through which affected families could receive updates without compromising security operations.

“Our message is simple and clear: our children must not be forgotten,” Gadzama said.

The appeal follows earlier public assurances from the Federal Government and the Borno State Government that efforts were being made to secure the children’s release.

On October 10, Governor Zulum told journalists after meeting President Tinubu in Abuja that the President had assured him that the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services and the Office of the National Security Adviser would take necessary measures to rescue children abducted from Mussa and Lassa.

In August, the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation also reported that Zulum had reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to securing the safe return of pupils abducted from Mussa.

However, the community’s latest appeal indicates that families are still seeking the victims’ safe return and clearer communication about their situation.

Gadzama urged elected representatives from Askira/Uba, including Senator Ali Ndume, to sustain pressure on the authorities to ensure the rescue efforts receive urgent attention.

He also called for improved security around vulnerable schools and for medical, psychological and educational support for the children after their return.

Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, which identifies the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government, Gadzama said protecting citizens was a responsibility the authorities must fulfil.

“We are not asking for favour from government. We are just asking the government to fulfil its primary responsibility to the people,” he said.

The community urged the Federal Government, the Borno State Government and security agencies to sustain their efforts until the children and the teacher reportedly abducted in the separate incidents are safely reunited with their families.

Unresolved details

Accounts of the abductions differ on the number of victims taken from each community and the date of the Lassa incident.

While one report put the number abducted from Mussa at 43 and said the Lassa abduction occurred on June 26, another put the Mussa figure at 42 and gave June 29 as the date of the Lassa incident. Both accounts referred to a total of 78 schoolchildren and an abducted teacher.

The precise breakdown and date of the Lassa incident could not be independently reconciled from the official information located for this report.