58 Days in Captivity: Borno Parents Cry Out as Abducted Schoolchildren Remain Missing
The parents of over 40 pupils abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State have again appealed to the government to move quickly to secure the safety of their children who have been in captivity for 58 days without any information about their whereabouts.
The appeal comes about five days after security operatives rescued pupils and teachers abducted from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, who regained freedom after spending 56 days in captivity.
The Chairman of the Parents’ Committee, Ishaku Suya called on the Federal Government to do the same in the Borno schoolchildren rescue operations as it did in Oyo.
We are Nigerians too, we are asking the Government to show the same urgency in rescuing our children,” he said.
Parents said this extended period of uncertainty was distressing for them, adding that many of the children who have been abducted are of primary school age, including two-year-olds. The absence of news has exacerbated concerns about the children’s safety, health and wellbeing, they said.
A youth and student group also held peaceful protest in Maiduguri, urging the government to beef up rescue operation and give abducted children in Borno the same treatment accorded to those rescued in Oyo.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), echoed the appeal, saying that the security agencies should continue rescue operations throughout the nation. The president of the Church of All Saints (CAN) in Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, has stated that all abducted children are entitled to the same protection, irrespective of where they are abducted.
Child protection organisations emphasise that the longer a child stays in captivity, the greater the risk of them suffering physical harm, psychological trauma, and of their education being disrupted and other lasting developmental effects. This makes the urgent and coordinated efforts to secure the safe return of all children imperative.
