181 Days After Abduction, 42 Borno Schoolchildren Still Missing Despite Government Promises
The families of 42 schoolchildren abducted in Borno State have spent 181 days awaiting their children’s return, with repeated assurances from government authorities yet to produce a publicly confirmed release.
The children were abducted on 15 May 2026 when armed men attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, Borno State.
As of Thursday, 12 November 2026, 180 days have passed since the incident, with families still awaiting news of their children’s freedom.
On 19 May, Governor Babagana Zulum visited Askira-Uba, assuring affected parents that federal and state authorities, alongside security agencies, were working to secure the children’s release.
A week later, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Lawan Abba Wakilbe, visited Mussa and reiterated the government’s commitment to bringing the children home.
Following the attack, Government Day Secondary School, Mussa, was temporarily closed, with students relocated to Government Secondary School, Uba, under the Safe Schools Initiative.
However, the assurances brought little relief as the months passed without a confirmed breakthrough.
On 21 August, affected parents met Zulum at the Government House in Maiduguri, demanding urgent intervention.
Following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on 9 October, Zulum disclosed that the President had assured him that the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and Office of the National Security Adviser would intensify efforts to secure the children’s release.
Yet, the prolonged uncertainty continues to raise concerns about the children’s safety, psychological wellbeing and disrupted education.
The situation has also renewed questions about government accountability and the effectiveness of measures intended to protect schools in conflict-affected communities.
While authorities continue promising action, families remain without answers about when their children will return.
At 180 days, the urgent question remains: when will these children finally return to their families?
