61 Days in Captivity: Families Still Waiting for 42 Abducted Borno Schoolchildren
Worries about the safety and wellbeing of the 42 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School, Borno State have not been assuaged after 61 days, with the families of the missing children still waiting for answers.
On May 15, 2026, armed men attacked Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, abducting the children, including toddlers. No group has taken responsibility for the abduction since the incident and no public report of any ransom demand has been made.
One parent said the families have been living in fear and emotional distress due to the prolonged uncertainty.
The parent said they have barely slept since their children were taken, worrying every day about what may be happening to their children.
Daily Trust reports that the Borno State Government has been in touch with some of the affected families to assure them that the efforts are being made to get the children out of the hands of their abductors safely. The families were said to be being told to stay calm as an operation against the criminals went on.
The Borno State Commissioner for Education, Science and Innovation, Engr. Abba Lawan Wakilbe, declined to comment on the case, describing it as a security matter.
The children continue to be held captive, highlighting the need to protect schools from attacks and ensure that all children are able to learn in safety, for child rights advocates. They add that children and their families will need extensive psychosocial support when they are reunited after this long and traumatic period.
